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Lone Wolf: ‘Tradition is the innovation of yesterday’

“Tradition needs to be challenged” in the Scotch whisky industry and distillers must “push the boundaries” to be different, Steven Kersley, head distiller at BrewDog’s Lone Wolf Distillery, has said.

Lone Wolf plans to unveil an experimental range, an absinthe and a rum

Speaking to The Spirits Business earlier this month, Kersley said the industry is “almost entrenched” with a feeling of tradition that “limits progression”, claiming that distillers risk being “left behind” in 20 years’ time.

“When I look across the Scotch whisky category, there’s very, very little which I see as real true innovation and there’s very few unconventional distillers out there. And for me, tradition means comfort zone – it’s habitual, and it postpones innovation.”

The spirits arm of BrewDog debuted its inaugural spirits range last month, which includes a vodka, gin, tonic and soda.

According to Kersley, the multi-faceted design of the distillery allows his team to create any style of spirit with a “Lone Wolf spin on it”.

He stressed the importance of being “custodians” of the liquid from the start of the process to the end. He added: “It’s about taking ownership of every stage of the process and looking at how you can influence, with flavour being the absolute goal.”

In addition, a new warehouse is currently being designed to feature temperature and humidity controls, allowing Lone Wolf to manipulate the environment and the way the casks mature, which will be a big focus for the distillery.

There are also plans to debut an “experimental” range, which will focus on “innovation and the experimental side of Lone Wolf’s character”. A “slightly different” iteration of the Lone Wolf Gin will also launch.

Looking ahead, other projects in development include a beer-based absinthe, using a “really hoppy” beer as the base, and a rum.

In December last year, BrewDog released its first Scotch whisky – a three-year-old single grain that uses liquid from an unnamed distillery and is “hell-bent on being a Bourbon”.

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