Arbikie uses Scottish chillis for anniversary vodka

Arbikie Highland Estate – Scotland’s first single estate distillery producing white and brown spirits – has celebrated its first anniversary with the launch of a vodka flavoured with Scottish chillies.

The distillery officially opened last November with the launch of Arbikie Vodka, made using a blend of Maris Piper, King Edward and Cultra potatoes grown on its estate based on Scotland’s east coast.

In July this year, the company launched Kirsty’s Gin – named in homage to master distiller Kirsty Black – which is distilled from its Scottish vodka and is described as having a “traditional” juniper base with three Scottish botanicals of kelp, carline thistle and blueberries.

Owned by the Stirling family, Arbikie Highland Estate claims to be the first distillery in Scotland to produce both white and brown spirits that are fermented, distilled, bottled, labelled and matured on-site and made using estate-grown ingredients.

Arbikie Chilli Vodka has been launched to mark the firm’s first 12 months of operation and uses chipotle chillis grown by Scotland’s first Chilli farm, Chillilicious.

Arbikie has joined forces with Slow Food Scotland to secure “Ark of Taste” status for wild Scottish juniper – which is currently under threat in Scotland. “Ark of Taste” is an international catalogue of threatened foods that aims to save them from extinction.

In addition, the firm has recently filled its first casks of single estate Highland Scotch whisky, made using grain grown on-site.

“It’s been a great year for Arbikie. Having launched Scotland’s first potato vodka, a gin, whisky in cask and now our new chilli vodka,” said John Stirling, operations director at Arbikie Highland Estate.

“We’ve been busy to say the least. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us from consumers to industry. We wouldn’t have got this far without their support for which we are very grateful.

“We’ve got some exciting plans for the next year and we hope to continue our growth in the UK as well as overseas.”