Entrepreneur branches out into spirits production
THE entrepreneur behind a specialist spirits shop in Aberdeenshire has moved into the booming gin sector with the launch of his own brand.
Mike Stuart founded the Inverurie Whisky Shop in 2015.
His new business, Foghouse Spirits, will initially produce gin before expanding to add a range of single cask whisky and rum.
The company takes its name from traditional Scottish ‘fog houses’ – a type of summer house once popular on Scottish estates where lairds would entertain their guests.
Foghouse Gin was produced in conjunction with Lost Loch Spirits in Royal Deeside and contains nine botanicals, including wormwood.
The spirit is described as having notes of rosemary, olive and coriander.
It was distilled in a copper still in small batches and bottled at 42% ABV, with the bottle designed to be retained and reused.
“We’ve been working on Foghouse since 2019 and wanted to create something that would really stand out from the crowd not just in flavour profile but with the bottle itself,” said Stuart.
“We discovered the most beautiful foghouse at Bennachie in Aberdeenshire that overlooks a waterfall. It’s tricky to locate but worth it when you find it.
“It inspired us to craft flavours that would be instrumental in evoking a memory and transporting you to a special place, as a reminder of what makes you happy.
“We call it a little bit of escapism in a glass.”
And Stuart said there has already been interest from operators in the on-trade.
“We’ve employed a team of experts behind Foghouse to really promote this new gin,” he said.
“As a result, we’ve already had interest from pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants around the UK that want to stock it.
“The plan is to cement Foghouse Gin into the market and start working on creating the rest of the range next.”
The company is promoting Foghouse Gin as best served with a quality tonic and garnished with a sprig of rosemary and a twist of orange.
