GlenWyvis Distillery is a unique and innovative gin and whisky production facility located in Dingwall, Scotland. What sets GlenWyvis apart from traditional distilleries is its community-driven and sustainable approach to making spirits, coupled with its use of modern technology and traditional techniques. Established in 2015, GlenWyvis aims to produce high-quality spirits while also contributing positively to the local community and environment.
One of the standout features of the distillery is its community ownership model. It is owned by over 3,000 members who have invested in the distillery and share a collective interest in its success. This ownership structure not only fosters a sense of community engagement but also provides a unique funding mechanism for the distillery's operations and expansion.
Furthermore, GlenWyvis places a strong emphasis on sustainability. The distillery boasts a state-of-the-art renewable energy system, including solar panels and a biomass boiler. These technologies significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the production process, making GlenWyvis one of the more environmentally conscious distilleries in the region.
Production of GlenWyvis Goodwill gin goes as follows:
- Nine premium botanicals including locally sourced Hawthorn are soaked in 55% ABV grain neutral spirit for 24 hours. The steeping takes place within a 400 litre gin still, which goes by the name of Heather, and this allows for GoodWill’s delicate flavours to develop.
- After 24 hours of steeping, the still is heated using steam. Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water, so this allows the alcohol vapour to rise up through the 3.4 metre-high still column, across the lye pipe, and into the condenser, before running into the spirit safe.
- Some 30 litres of the foreshots, or ‘the head’, are collected before the spirit cut begins. Then, some 250 litres of the gin spirit, ‘the heart’, are collected at approximately 75% ABV. Together with the foreshots, the remaining feints, or the ‘tail’, are collected and used again in the next distillation.
- Finally, by adding distilled water, our freshly made, crystal clear spirit is then reduced to 40% ABV. The delicate, yet citrus-rich GoodWill Gin is then ready to be bottled and enjoyed straight away.
