Rum with a Celtic touch from Boilermaker

Boilermaker Drinks Company has released what it claims to be the first white rum produced in Scotland, SeaWolf, at Ogilvy Spirits in Angus.

SeaWolf, 41% ABV, 500ml, launched on December 1, 2016. It has been created by Mike Aikman and Jason Scott, the duo behind Edinburgh bar Bramble, and Gavin Ferguson who co-founded Scottish independent wine merchants Vino Wines.

The trio has formed Boilermaker Drinks Company with the ambition of producing a portfolio of Scottish spirits distilled at their own distillery. 18-months in the making, SeaWolf is its first launch. It will have a limited first run, with only 300 bottles being made available before the end of the year.

Mike Aikman says: “Rum is a massive player in the cocktail world. However, when we started looking around for a British brand, we realised that very few brands are distilled here and so SeaWolf was born. Unlike gin which we feel is reaching saturation point in the market, British rum is about to have its time in the spotlight and we aim to be at the forefront of this.”

Taking its name from the Native American term for killer whales, the name makes a subtle nod to both Britain’s naval links with rum importation, but also the pods of sea wolves that are found dotted around the Scottish coastline today.

It’s clear medicinal-style bottle is an extension of the company’s contemporary outlook, with the whale illustration adding an artisan touch.

The fermentation of the cane molasses is done at low temperature for four weeks using both rum and champagne yeasts which gives this drink its flavour profile.

Aikman continues: “Scotland is not the ideal climate to be making rum in but we love a challenge so we set about developing a full-flavoured rum good enough to work well straight and as a base for cocktails. It had to have character, flavour, mouthfeel and body which can be difficult with an unaged spirit but we hope we’ve delivered on all aspects.”

SeaWolf has been on sale since December 1, 2016 at www.vinowines.co.uk/seawolf-premium-white-rum.html at an RRP of £29.99 and in the on-trade at Bramble, The Last Word and Lucky Liquor Co.

4 December 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant