An Angus farmer is showing real bottle by using his own spuds to produce vodka at his own distillery.
Graeme Jarron and his family have tilled soil at Milton of Ogilvie, Forfar, for more than 100 years. And Mr Jarron has enlisted scientists from Heriot Watt University to help diversify his farm’s output.
“Only 5% of the world’s vodka is made from potatoes,” said Graeme, whose family farm is now awaiting permission from Angus Council to transform an unused corner of the barnyard into a micro-distillery.
He added: “Potato vodka isn’t as edgy as other grain-based alcohol. It can be incredibly smooth (and) amazing to sip with a little ice.”
He called on scientists from Heriot Watt’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling to transform the farm’s ordinary potatoes into a world-class spirit.
Plans are already in place to brand and market the vodka under the name Ogilvy’s Spirits. Mr Jarron said the development was about moving forward an established family label in new ways.
“People go on about food miles, and how bad it is for the environment,” he said.
“By establishing a distillery right here on the farm, not only are we producing something that’s completely different, but we’re cutting waste and slashing the distance our potatoes travel to a matter of metres.”
He said the family would be able to take the potatoes deemed too low quality for sale in supermarkets and transform them into quality vodka.
“We just want to produce something that’s new, local and sustainable,” he added.