Aberdeenshire producer plans to launch mixers to match its small-batch spirits
AN Aberdeenshire small-batch spirits distiller is aiming to put the “craftsmanship back into craft spirits” by managing every aspect of its spirits production on site.
LoneWolf Distillery, which was founded in 2015 and is backed by BrewDog, released its first batch of gin and vodka at the end of April, claiming it is on course to “establish a new standard for spirits production”.
Not only does the distillery lay claim to having the world’s only triple-bubble still and the tallest rectification column of any craft distiller in Europe, every aspect of the production is said to be managed on site, including the distillation of its base spirit.
The LoneWolf team is said to have designed the distillation process from grain to glass, with the distillation equipment conceived by head distiller Steven Kersley in collaboration with German engineering company, Arnold Holstein.
LoneWolf managing director Doug Bairner said the result is “the most versatile distillery in the UK”.
“LoneWolf is an apt name for a brand that stands alone in the industry as a custodian of purist, truthful production methods,” he said.
“Our new purpose-built facility takes craft distillation to new levels.
“The huge amount of copper contact that our stills and columns give to our spirit delivers unparalleled quality.
“To create a spirit that is pure of bloodline you need to truly start from scratch, so LoneWolf Vodka and LoneWolf Gin is created entirely under one roof.
“Every stage is owned and crafted in our Scottish distillery.”
The recently-launched vodka and gin are the result of “exacting processes” employed during production which are said to create the “best possible spirit”.
LoneWolf Vodka is distilled four times and lightly filtered once, which is said to allow the “grain character to shine through”, while the gin is unfiltered, meaning that “all of the flavour and spirit complexity remains” and the gin clouds in the glass when it comes into contact with ice.
Head distiller Steven Kersley said because the distiller manages every aspect of its production, it will have scope to “experiment and innovate with flavour and process” going forward; there are also plans to add whiskies and other spirits in the future.
“It took 192 unique distillations to perfect the LoneWolf Gin, to deliver the perfect balance of base and 14 botanicals,” said Kersley.
“The dedication and research that has gone into the development process is unrivalled.
“We started out with a blank sheet of paper, rewriting the rule book and forging our own path along the way.”
The distiller also plans to release its own mixers, created specifically to be paired with its spirits: LoneWolf Tonic, designed to complement the gin through its use of pink grapefruit which is said to lift the gin’s citrus notes even higher, and LoneWolf Mint Soda to be paired with its vodka.
“Our mixers accentuate the unique flavour profile of our spirits – allowing us another dimension of control to deliver the best possible drinking experience,” added Bairner.
