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Verdant Spirits aimed to become Dundee’s first commercial distillery in nearly 200 years, aspiring to create a unique Scottish rum using an unconventional ingredient: panela, an unrefined cane sugar not typically found in UK spirit production. To achieve this ambitious goal, Verdant partnered with Heriot-Watt University’s prestigious International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) through the Standard Innovation Voucher Scheme, supported by the Scottish Funding Council.

Challenge

While Verdant Spirits planned to diversify its offerings, including gin, whisky, and fortified wines, the initial focus was to craft a unique Scottish rum. The goal was to harness panela as a core fermentable, which would provide a distinct taste unlike traditional molasses-based rums. However, developing this concept into a market-ready product necessitated specialized knowledge in fermentation processes, yeast strain selection, and distillation techniques—expertise largely found within academic and research settings.

Solution

Recognizing this need, Verdant turned to Heriot-Watt’s ICBD, Scotland’s only academic institution dedicated to brewing and distilling, which boasted necessary pilot distillation equipment and extensive research capabilities. The collaboration involved Dr. Annie Hill and her research team working closely with Verdant’s founder, Andrew Mackenzie, to refine the vision for the new rum. This partnership focused on research and experimentation concerning fermentation and distillation to streamline production processes and ensure a high-quality end product. Additionally, it helped Verdant enhance its technical skills and connect with talented individuals, particularly through outreach to Heriot-Watt’s MSc brewing and distilling students.

Impact

The collaborative effort resulted in the successful creation of an innovative panela-based rum recipe, marking a first for the Scottish market. This unique rum combined scientific knowledge with creative strategies, facilitating Verdant’s journey to scaled production and the introduction of their signature gin.

Why Heriot-Watt?

The International Centre for Brewing and Distilling is a singular resource in Scotland and one of the few across the UK, providing the technical infrastructure and academic mentorship necessary for developing innovative spirits. From small-scale fermentation to pilot distillation and sensory evaluation, the ICBD bridges the gap between concept and market-ready products.

Want to work with us?

This project highlights the opportunity for businesses to engage with Heriot-Watt’s research expertise. Whether you’re an emerging distillery or an established brand seeking innovation, our team is ready to help bring your ideas to fruition. Learn more about collaborating with us: www.hw.ac.uk/research-enterprise