Distillers go wild after their new spirit strikes gold

A new Scottish spirit has won an award just months after being created.

Wild Scottish Spirit, released in late 2018 by Highland Boundary Distillery, has been awarded Gold at the illustrious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which saw nearly 3,000 entries received from all over the world.

Regarded as the world’s most prestigious and influential spirits competition Highland Boundary was recognised in the Other Spirits category.

Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the oldest awards of its kind, with an emphasis placed on integrity and impartiality throughout all judging rounds, which are based on blind taste tests.

The judges award a gold medal to: ‘Exceptional spirits that are near the pinnacle of achievement and products that set the standard for their categories.’

Highland Boundary Birch and Elderflower Wild Scottish Spirit, which was released in late 2018, combines hand-picked botanicals sourced in the Scottish Highlands, with grain spirit from the south to create an innovative spirit unique to Scotland.

Birch and Elderflower Wild Scottish Spirit was developed in collaboration with Heriot Watt University International Centre for Brewing and Distilling.

Brand founders Dr Marian Bruce and Simon Montador have said of the win: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that the first release from our distillery has been awarded a gold medal. Our modern, Scottish spirits are a new category of botanical spirits to the UK and so it’s wonderful that our industry colleagues have recognised the premium quality of our product and the unique flavour.’

All of the botanicals used in the production of Highland Boundary are picked by hand, with an emphasis placed on seasonality and sustainability – electricity used in the manufacture of the spirit comes from solar panels on the founders’ distillery roof; whilst their offices are heated using biomass and the cooling water from the still comes directly from a natural spring and is recycled through their wildlife pond once it has cooled, continuing the water cycle.

The on-farm distillery was founded in January 2016. Marian is the designer and distiller and she is helped by a small and passionate team.

Highland Boundary Birch and Elderflower Wild Scottish Spirit can be served neat, straight from the freezer, mixed with club soda, or used in a variety of cocktail recipes. It is priced at £29 per bottle, and is available for purchase at https://www.highlandboundary.com