Matugga Distillers is preparing to start production at its new facility in Livingstone, which it says is “the first rum distillery in central Scotland”.
Founded by husband and wife, Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa, Matugga Distillers aims to boost its Matugga Rum series of “golden and spiced rums crafted with African soul’”.
Originally small batch distilled in England before moving production to Scotland, the rums draw inspiration from the couple’s Ugandan and Jamaican heritage.
The Rutasikwas began exploring central Scotland when Paul – a chartered civil engineer by trade – started a master’s degree in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
The £100,0000 distillery is equipped with two 200 litre copper pot stills, capable of producing 50,000 litres of artisanal rum in its first year. Over the next year, the firm is forecasting a 400% increase in turnover and is hoping to create five new full-time roles, including positions in distilling and business development.
Matugga rums are said to have “a uniquely East African flavour profile”, achieved using sugar cane molasses from the region and a masala chai blend of black tea, ginger, cloves, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon.
The firm has already started exporting, shipping 10,000 bottles of rum to France and across the EU in the last year.
Master distiller Paul Rutasikwa said: “Scotland has hundreds of years of distilling expertise and history. This, combined with my African heritage, is what will inspire us to create new and exciting rums. We can think of no better place to be launching our new distillery and beginning such an exciting journey.
“The ethos of Matugga Distillers is underpinned by the Swahili saying ‘pole pole’ (pronounced poleh poleh), which means ‘slowly slowly’. We want people to slow down, sip, savour and share our rums with friends and family.”
Matugga Distillers CEO Jacine Rutasikwa added: “Building on the success we’ve had in Europe, the next year will see us focus on making friends and contacts in the on-trade and off-trade, while continuing to bring something different to the UK rum scene as a whole.
“The signature smoky aspect of our rums isn’t dissimilar to lightly peated whiskies, making them the perfect sipping spirit or a quality addition to popular cocktails.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024