Published:
The first absinthe made in Scotland is due to be launched this month - thanks to a collaboration project between Heriot-Watt University and The Lost Loch Distillery.
The University became involved in the project when MSc student Dylan Carney developed the spirit over the summer for his thesis study.
Dylan visited Switzerland and France to find out more about traditional absinthe recipes and decided to develop the drink with a Scottish twist featuring brambleberry leaves and Deeside honey.
Dylan really enjoyed getting involved with this project and being one of the inventors of Scotland's first absinthe.
The Scottish version of the drink is less potent than the original and is named Murmichan, after the ancient Scots word for “Wicked Fairy". It will be launched in Scotland, then to China and Japan.
Now Peter Dignan and Richard Pierce who run the distillery in Royal Deeside, have employed Dylan as a key member of staff.
Richard Dignan, Director of The Lost Loch Distillary, said: “We are very pleased to have Dylan on board with our new drink. He's been enthusiastic from the start and he is a real character, he really knows his absinthe.
"In fact, he is now working part-time in our distillery and doing really well. His obsession with the spirit certainly shines through.
"It's a bit different from other drinks which are 'in' at the moment, such as gin. We're very proud of the new product and can't wait for people to give it a try."
Anne Hill, Associate Professor in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University, said: "Dylan really enjoyed getting involved with this project and being one of the inventors of Scotland's first absinthe.
"A lot of hard work went into researching the new drink and we hope it is successful both at home and abroad."
Heriot–Watt University runs a very successful Brewing and Distilling Programme that teaches students malting, brewing, chemical engineering, business studies and production management.