Scottish distillery debuts 'climate positive' vodka

A Scottish distillery has designed a pea-based "climate positive" vodka that it claims creates a carbon saving of 1.53kg CO2e per 700ml bottle - a reduction in emissions that more than offsets the CO2 generated by the vodka's creation.

This climate alchemy is achieved thanks to the power of the humble pea, Arbikie Distillery claims, the use of which has two ecological benefits over the cereal crops that are usually used toproduce vodka.

Firstly, peas - like other legumes - produce much of their own nitrogen thanks to a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that fix nitrogen from the air for the plant. As a result, they do not need the synthetic fertiliser typically used to grow cereal crops such as corn, wheat or rye.

Secondly, peas contain significantly more protein than cereal crops, which leads to the creation of by-products, known as pot ale, that can be re-used leading to further emissions reductions.

"The use of peas versus cereals increases the protein content of the pot ale making it even more suitable as an animal feed," the company explained. "Ultimately it could help Europe become more protein self-sufficient and address food security challenges."

The new method extends Arbikie's range of climate positive spirits, branded Nàdar, after the firm launched a pea-based gin in February.

"Arbikie is focused on becoming one of the world's most sustainable distilleries [and] as both farmers and distillers we are in an ideal position to grow and distil our family of sustainable spirits," said Iain Stirling, distillery director at Arbikie, which is based in Arbroath.

"Sustainable products, particularly in the area of food and drink, are undoubtedly the future, and they will be the major economic driving force in the years to come, not just in Scotland, but across the world."

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• Topics
• Supply chain
• vodka
• sustainable spirits
• Arbikie
• peas
• alternative protein
• Sustainable protein
• fertiliser