Diageo and Heriot-Watt: from tradition to transformation
Heriot-Watt and Diageo are revolutionising whisky maturation through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is an exciting opportunity for research and academia to solve real problems for businesses and provide innovative solutions to drive innovation. By hiring a KTP associate from Heriot-Watt University, you are opening your organisation to forward thinking, change-making, and unique expertise.
Blending tradition and innovation
Countless hours are dedicated to the craft of whisky production, with Scotch whisky matured in oak barrels for at least three years and often much longer. This process enriches and refines its flavour. However, a barrel’s potential for imparting flavour, and how the whisky will mature in that barrel involves many complex and unpredictable factors.
Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Diageo and Heriot-Watt University are using cutting edge techniques to modernise the maturation process while respecting the time-honoured tradition and expertise of master distillers to give a new level of accuracy to whisky maturation.
The multidisciplinary science of optimising flavour
This partnership brings chemistry, data science, and sensory analysis together in a unique collaboration to transform the whisky maturation process. The knowledge transferred from Heriot-Watt University is creating a unique novel process for Diageo to implement, using machine learning tools to predict and optimise whisky flavour outcomes. Using this new tooling, Diageo will be able to accurately predict how maturation will influence their whisky’s flavour profile, reducing waste and saving both materials and time.
The team is deploying a range of cutting-edge scientific techniques: advanced analytical methods are being utilised to observe the structure and makeup of molecules by examining how tiny particles in atoms respond to external influences; other techniques are being used to identify and measure the molecules in a sample by breaking them into tiny pieces and sorting them based on their weight; other measurements look at how materials interact with light; and all of this chemical fingerprinting is being used to identify unique patterns of molecules both in the wood and in the whisky, ensuring consistent quality and flavour while helping to refine the maturation process.
Distilling data into insight
Machine learning is playing a pivotal role in transforming how the data from these advanced scientific methods is utilised. By processing vast amounts of complex data from the innovative analytical methods, machine learning will uncover intricate coded patterns and correlations that are beyond human reach.
These insights will empower the team to refine and create new predictive models which optimise whisky maturation with unparalleled precision. The use of machine learning won’t stop at data analysis, it will translate technical findings into clear, actionable insights, enabling master distillers to seamlessly integrate cutting-edge science into their craft. By harnessing the power of AI, the partnership will ensure that tradition and technology are blended in tandem, delivering measurable improvements in quality, and efficiency while setting a new benchmark for innovation in the drinks industry.
The measurable benefits realised by Diageo through this partnership demonstrate the transformative power of science-driven innovation. Inventory management will see significant enhancements, with better utilisation of barrels and more efficient whisky ageing.
A toast to innovation
The success of this partnership extends well beyond the immediate benefits to Diageo, upon conclusion it will create a ripple effect across various stakeholders within their supply chain. For Diageo, the collaboration will result in improved overall operational efficiency and help maintain their consistently high product quality, solidifying their position as a global leader in whisky production.
More broadly, this collaboration will establish new standards for data-driven whisky production, serving as a pioneering example for the wider global premium spirit's market.
Are you ready to unlock the potential of your business with a Knowledge Transfer Partnership? Partner with Heriot-Watt University to access cutting-edge research and tailored solutions that can transform your industry.