The Anonymous Widower

Scotch Whisky Is In A Unique Position

Scotland has so much zero-carbon energy now, let alone in a few years, that Scotch whisky would not be the most difficult of industries to make completely zero-carbon, which could marketing-wise completely trump any tariffs, that Trummkopf might impose.

  • Already some small distilleries are using hydrogen to distill the whisky.
  • Some glass bottles are already made using hydrogen instead of natural gas to make zero-carbon malt whiskies.
  • I’m sure Cummins in Darlington, JCB in Rocester and Ricardo in Sussex will be pleased to help make farm machinery, mechanical handling and road transport zero carbon.
  • Soft fruit like raspberries are already used to absorb the carbon dioxide from the distillation process in some areas of Scotland. I’m sure dealing with more quality raspberries would not be a problem.
  • A large electrolyser is planned for Kintore in the North of Scotland. Think of the good publicity for say Centrica or SSE, if they built the world’s largest hydrogen plant to help make zero-carbon whisky.

These are some more thoughts.

Taste Is Everything

As only the method of providing heat and electricity will have been changed, I can’t see there will be any change to the taste.

It’s Already Happening

This page on the Annandale Distillery web site is entitled Annandale Distillery Pioneers Zero-Carbon Whisky Production with EXERGY 3 Project.

The Kintore Electrolyser

These figures summarise the Kintore Electrolyser.

  • Total Electrolyser Capacity – 3 GW
  • First Phase – 500 MW
  • Hydrogen – 200 kTonnes per year

Explore the Kintore Hydrogen web site.

Marketing Advantage

Scotland, is probably, the only country, where the main ingredients for whisky come together in abundance ; barley, energy, tradition and water.

It also is all produced in a single country in many different brands and types, which could all be produced in a zero-carbon manner.

Conclusion

Let’s give Trump a beating and the planet a kiss.

February 9, 2025 - Posted by | Energy, Food, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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