Whiskey, a beloved spirit with deep roots in tradition, is often viewed as a product of age-old practices and techniques. However, Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh is challenging this narrative by redefining the art of whiskey making. This distillery, the first of its kind in the city in over 100 years, is breaking barriers and embracing innovation in ways that were previously unseen in the industry.
The process of making whiskey is typically rooted in the concept of distilling beer. Holyrood takes this foundational idea and expands upon it by incorporating brewing techniques into their washmaking process. By experimenting with heritage barley varieties, specialty malts, and different yeast strains, Holyrood is blurring the lines between brewing and distilling. This unique approach allows the distillery to create a diverse range of flavors and explore new possibilities in whiskey production.
Marrying Tradition with Innovation
Situated in the heart of Scotland, Holyrood draws inspiration from the rich brewing history of Edinburgh. The distillery is located within the city’s “Charmed Circle,” an area that was once home to numerous breweries. This historical backdrop provides Holyrood with a unique environment to merge the traditions of beer making with the art of whiskey production. The distillery’s distillers, many of whom were trained at Heriot-Watt University, bring a wealth of expertise in both brewing and distilling to the table.
Calum Rae, the distillery manager at Holyrood, emphasizes a culture of experimentation and continuous learning. With a background in brewing, Rae instills a spirit of innovation within the distillery, encouraging the team to push boundaries and explore new flavor profiles. Holyrood’s approach to whiskey making is marked by a commitment to “test, learn, improve, repeat,” reflecting their dedication to refining their craft and pushing the boundaries of traditional whiskey production.
A Vision for the Future
As Holyrood continues to progress on its journey of discovery, the distillery aims to offer consumers a taste of their vast array of flavor experiments. With expressions like Arrival and Embra already released, Holyrood teases the potential of their distinctive approach to whiskey making. Rae envisions a tasting room akin to those found in craft breweries, where visitors can sample a variety of limited-release drams and experience the full spectrum of flavors created by the distillery.
Despite their innovative methods, Holyrood remains committed to maintaining a house character that runs through all of their drams. By leveraging a diverse range of spirits produced from different beer recipes, yeast strains, and aging techniques, Holyrood has a wide palette of flavors to work with. Rae emphasizes the notion that there is room for both tradition and innovation in the world of whiskey, highlighting Holyrood’s unique position in the industry.
Holyrood Distillery represents a new chapter in the story of whiskey making. By bridging the gap between brewing and distilling, embracing experimentation, and pushing the boundaries of flavor, Holyrood is revolutionizing the way we think about Scotch whiskey. As they continue their journey of exploration, Holyrood’s commitment to innovation promises to bring exciting new flavors and experiences to whiskey lovers around the world.