Distillery to launch Scotland’s first rum

New distillery Dark Matter Distillers is preparing to launch what is believed to be the first ever rum to be made in Scotland.

Dark Matter Distillers also plans to launch a white rum in addition to its spiced expression

Former petroleum economist Jim Ewen, managing director of Dark Matter Distillers, and his brother John Ewen, co-owner, plan to launch their first product by the beginning of May – a spiced rum called Dark Matter.

Distilled onsite at the distillery in Banchory from sugarcane molasses, the Ewen brothers have spent the last two years experimenting with different yeast strains during fermentation and product flavours to perfect the recipe.

With an abv of 40%, Dark Matter offers predominant flavours of fresh ginger and allspice, and is also made with green peppercorns and dried long pepper.

“We are not a multi-functional distillery – we are 100% designed for rum production,” commented Ewen. “There are no other producers making rum here at all today and I just couldn’t figure out any good reason why.

“We saw a gap in the market and thought this will be something interesting and different.”

Ewen began distilling the first batches of Dark Matter spiced rum two weeks ago and expects to have the first 500 bottles ready for shipping by the start of next month, having already signed a distribution agreement with Gordon and Macphail.

Ewen expects Dark Matter will initially be available to purchase both online and in selected small retailers for an RRP of £35 per 700ml bottle.

Furthermore, Ewen also told The Spirits Business that Dark Matter Distillers is currently developing a white rum using a wild strain of yeast found in Banchory that produces a “wonderful flavour” and is currently undergoing DNA testing to establish what it is.

Dark Matter Distillers is also working on several other rum products that are described as “a bit different” and will be unveiled in due course.