Arbikie Distillery launches groundbreaking pea-based vodka

After launching its "climate positive" spirits range earlier this year, Scotland's Arbikie Distillery has added another world-first product to the collection: a vodka made with peas.

The distillery's Nàdar Vodka is made with a pea base spirit that was originally developed for its Nàdar Gin, which made history when it was released in February. 

Like Nàdar Gin, the vodka is carbon-negative, saving around 1.53kg of carbon dioxide emissions per bottle. Its environmental credentials come from the use of peas - the crop does not need synthetic fertilisers to grow, therefore avoiding the negative impact these can have on the environment.

This new Nàdar spirit (Gaelic for 'nature') was released in conjuction with World Sustainable Spirits Day on 28 August. Arbikie prides itself on being at the forefront of sustainble spirit making, with its field-to-bottle ethos and emphasis on provenance.

Kirsty Black, Arbikie master distiller, said: "We're always looking to think differently, and by aligning our distillery production with the activity of the farm, we are using our knowledge of growing and the vagaries of the changing Scottish climate, and indeed how these factors impact our growing season, to produce the finest spirits from some of the best agricultural land in the country.

"By shifting our focus to climate change and biodiversity loss we not only want to minimise our impact on the environment, but also inspire and demonstrate to others the potential options available and how they might take advantage of these challenges."

Iain Stirling, director at Arbikie Distillery, added: "Arbikie is focused on becoming one of the world's most sustainable distilleries. As both farmers and distillers we are in an ideal position to grow and distil our family of sustainable spirits.

"Sustainable products, particularly in the area of food and drink, are undoubtedly the future and they will be the major economic driving force in the years to come, not just in Scotland but across the world."

World Sustainable Spirits Day has been launched to reinforce the importance of reducing "spirit miles" and to encourage those in the food and drink industry to become more sustainable. 

1 September 2020 - Bethany Whymark