Hello. Thank you for inviting me in to enjoy a dram with you in Lerwick.
You’re very welcome. Come on in out of the Shetland wind. Grab a glass; the fire’s just getting going.
Can you tell us more about how you started?
Shetland is the only area in Scotland without a whisky distillery. When looking further into it, we realised that we have the perfect climate for whisky maturation, along with a captive market from the 200,000-plus annual visitors to Shetland.
We realised that the most northerly Scotch whisky distillery in the world, coupled with Shetland’s unique history and culture and the fact that our master distiller, Ian Millar, is a whisky hall of fame inductee, was a potential recipe for success.
Up Helly Aa is a fiery festival… has this been the inspiration for the creation of your whisky?
Shetland’s unique history and culture are rooted in Scandinavia, so it’s unavoidable that Up Helly Aa would come into the mix.
However, rather than one of Shetland’s many Up Helly Aa festivals being the sole inspiration, we’re weaving Scandinavian history and culture into our story while also telling how Shetland came to be part of Scotland and how Lerwick grew up as a smuggling town.
When did you first begin distilling?
We are a brand-new distillery, and despite unforeseen delays beyond our control, we’re delighted to say we’ll be firing up the stills soon and officially kicking off our liquid journey.
Getting all the copper piping to Shetland was a logistical adventure in itself, but when the first drops of new-make spirit finally flow, we’ll be the most northern single malt Scotch whisky distillery in the world.
How and where do you source your key ingredients?
We like to keep things as local and authentic as possible. Water is obviously crucial, and we draw ours straight from the pristine, rain-fed lochs right on our doorstep; nature’s finest.
For the barley, we are initially working with trusted Scottish suppliers, but also have research projects underway to grow and malt our own locally grown barley.
As for the casks, we are sourcing these exclusively from a cooperage in the South of France. The secret ingredient, though? Copious amounts of bracing Shetland sea breeze, absolutely free of charge.
Our marketing strategy is highly sophisticated: we pour a dram, hand it to someone, and wait for them to smile
What are your plans for marketing the whisky?
Our marketing strategy is highly sophisticated: we pour a dram, hand it to someone, and wait for them to smile. Honestly, we rely heavily on word-of-mouth and the sheer novelty of a Shetland single malt.
We’ll be leaning into our Viking heritage, our wild weather, and the fact that we’re literally at the end of the road. If the whisky is good enough, we reckon the stories will just market themselves over a roaring fire.
How has Shetland whisky been received by the aficionados?
The response to our early releases has been brilliant; all of them were distilled at other distilleries but finished in Shetland. The whisky geeks seem genuinely thrilled.
They love the unique maritime character the Shetland climate imparts, even though the casks have only been matured further for a short period of time in Shetland. Once we have our own single malt Scotch whisky, we think the mainland is going to be jealous.
Can I mix it with cola, or are there strict rules on consumption?
You bought it, you can drink it out of a wellie boot for all we care. Our master distiller recommends drinking all of our releases with a few drops of water to bring out more of the flavour profile. This likely explains why our mini tasting glasses have proven so popular as an accompaniment to our bottles.
Interview and dram sampling: Kenny Kemp
Bear&Wolf x Lerwick Distillery Limited Edition Whisky
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