Scotland’s first potato vodka has gained global recognition for Angus with a debut win in a major international drinks industry competition.
At the Spirits Cocktails 2015 event in Paris, Arbikie Vodka beat a host of global entrants, including France’s own Grey Goose to win the best vodka award for their innovative spirit.
The success is a major early coup for the family-run firm based on the coast overlooking Lunan Bay, which grows all its own ingredients, ferments, distils, bottles and labels its vodka.
Launched only last year by brothers Iain, John and David Stirling, the distillery has revived the traditions of an industry which took place on the site back in the 18th century.
The Stirlings have harnessed the family knowledge built up over four generations of farming the Angus land to develop the innovative new venture and master distiller Kirsty Black leads the distilling team.
Unlike the majority of vodka, which is made with wheat, the Arbikie brand is made from potatoes, giving it a distinctive flavour.
They used copper pot stills to bring the time-honoured art of whisky distilling to the production process, designed to give Arbikie vodka a comparable quality and depth to Scotch.
Commercial director Iain Stirling said the company was delighted its first award had come so early, and on a prestigious international stage.
“As a family business, it is wonderful to have the freedom to be innovative,” he said.
“We believe that drinking should be no different from the way we eat with goodness from the ground up, from the farm to bottle.
“We have embraced the French concept of ‘terroir’, which describes how the natural elements of a place determine the characteristics of wine, to create exceptional spirits.
“We’re delighted that the distinguished Cocktails Spirits Judging Panel agree.”
“It also sets us up for the imminent launch of our Arbikie Gin in the next few weeks and for exporting our small-batch, artisan spirits overseas.”