Orkney distillery unveils inaugural spirits line

Deerness Distillery, said to be the first new commercial distillery on Scotland’s Orkney islands in more than 130 years, is to launch Sea Glass Gin and Into The Wild Vodka later this month.

Deerness Distillery is said to be the first commercial distillery on Scotland’s Orkney islands in 132 years

Situated on mainland Orkney, Deerness Distillery is the “first” of its kind since 1885. The spirits are made in a traditional alembic copper pot still with an addition reflux column to “refine the process”.

The liquid is then cut with “pure Orkney water” before each bottle is hand-filled, corked, sealed and signed. Both spirits will initially be available across Orkney and in Aberdeen.

In addition to the initial gin and vodka releases, the company plans to introduce a rum and a coffee liqueur “amongst other spirits and liqueurs”.

Construction work on the distillery, which was designed and built by founders Stuart and Adelle Brown, began in the autumn of 2016.

“We are excited to see our products on the shelves of Orkney retailers and hospitality businesses and loo forward to contributing to Scotland’s drink and tourism economies,” said Stuart Brown, managing director.

The duo plan to open an on-site shop and a viewing area with the distillery by the end of the year.