A Scottish distillery has created the first ‘climate positive gin’ out of garden peas Arbikie distillery in North East Scotland said peas have a positive impact on the environment

A Scottish distillery claims to have created the world’s first “climate positive” gin thanks to garden peas and a clever bit of farming.

Gin makers at Arbikie Distillery in Angus, on the east coast of Scotland, have just completed their first batch of pea-based gin and say the process will have a positive impact on the environment long-term.

Each 70cl bottle of the gin, called Nadar, avoids more carbon dioxide emissions than it creates, resulting in a total carbon footprint of -1.54kg carbon dioxide equivalent, according to scientists.

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It is mainly achieved by turning all useful parts of the peas leftover after the distilling process into animal feed.

Animal feed byproduct

Distillery spokeswoman Rachel Thomson told i: “We’ve finished the experimental batch. We’ve found peas return nitrogen to the soil and don’t need fertiliser after the first harvest cycle. They’re self-sufficient.

“The process has been peer reviewed by scientists.

“Our motto has always been, ‘field to bottle’. We try to be sustainable in everything we do – we’re a single estate distillery as much as possible.”

While pea-based, the gin doesn’t taste earthy, but fruity and fresh, according to tasters.

Fruity and fresh

“The gin is quite fruity, fresh and smooth,” Ms Thomson added. “It’s got flavours of citrus and lemongrass and mint. Our recommended perfect serve is with ginger and a lime leaf.”

It was Arbikie’s master distiller, PhD student Kirsty Black, who created the spirit. She did so following five years of research at Abertay University, and the James Hutton Institute in Scotland.

During distillation, the leftover pea protein and spent yeast creates a waste product known as pot ale, which can be used to feed animals.

Ms Black’s PhD examined the potential of pulses such as peas and beans as an environmentally sustainable feedstock to the brewing and distilling industries.

The research team behind the gin has also been investigating whether pot ale protein can be isolated and consumed by humans.



Climate crisis

The team said the environmental performance of the gin is “significantly better” than those distilled from wheat.

She added: “At Arbikie, everything we do is dictated by the seasons and our geographical location.

“Year-on-year we see the weather, harvest timings and crop quality change, all highlighting the need to address the climate crisis now.

“By producing the world’s first climate positive gin, we are taking initial steps towards improving our environmental impact, while demonstrating what can be achieved when like-minded researchers and businesses come together.”

Arbikie gin was established on a working vegetable farm five years ago. A major supplier of potatoes to Tesco, the team found around 20 per cent of its crop was turned away by the supermarket every year, so decided to turn it into alcohol rather than throw it away.

The company now makes a number of vodkas and gins, and will launch its first batch of Nadar this week. Bottles will retail at around £43 each.

Additional reporting by PA