Small Scottish distillery wins international award for wood-fired drink
A small Scottish distillery tucked away in the Lowlands has struck gold on the international stage, quite literally.
Moffat Distillery, based in Dumfries and Galloway, is celebrating a major milestone after its Moffat Moonshine scooped a prestigious gold medal at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). The award comes just as the distillery prepares for its highly anticipated first whisky release.
The unaged spirit, described by the distillery as a 'wood-fired, unaged spirit made entirely in Dumfries & Galloway ', earned an impressive 96 points, with judges praising its 'depth, clarity and character.'
That's a remarkable result for what is essentially the debut offering from the fledgling distillery.
'This is a huge moment for our small team,' said founder Nick Bullard. 'Moffat Moonshine is where our journey begins, raw, honest and full of character.
"We're proud it's been recognised on a global stage and we hope it puts our small but perfectly-formed corner of Scotland on the spirits map.'
Moffat Distillery is no ordinary producer. It claims to be the first and only distillery in Scotland to heat its stills using wood fires, a method not seen in over 200 years.
With an output of just 6,000 litres per year, the distillery prides itself on sustainable, small-scale production.
Sharing their excitement in a social media post, the team wrote: 'We've just won a Gold medal! Our Moffat Moonshine has been recognised by the IWSC, a huge honour for our wee distillery.
'This is a win not just for us, but for everyone who's supported us along the way, from those who've shared a dram, to our brilliant partners at Crisp Malt, WHC Lab, and Camlachie Cooperage.'
The award-winning Moffat Moonshine has been bottled at two strengths, 48.5% and a fiery cask strength of 61.25% ABV. Distilled in the open air, the team say each run carries its own unique character, with the spirit matured in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks for just seven months.
'Not wanting to drown our own spirit's character in sherry, we decided to bottle the fiery potion when we felt it was ready,' the distillery says on its website.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
While Moffat Moonshine has stolen the spotlight for now, the distillery is also no stranger to blended malts. In 2018, it released The Moffat Blended Malt Scotch, and more blends from its Local Dram series are on the way.
These unique creations are developed in close collaboration with local people, drawing on regional culture, history, geography and language to produce a dram that truly reflects the character of its community.
'We create unique recipes,' the distillery explains. 'We source our spirit directly from producers, avoiding the secondary market, since consistency and authenticity of supply are vital to the brand.'
All bottling is currently done under contract, and each blend is dressed in bespoke packaging designed by a local artist, echoing the spirit of the community behind it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
40 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Next generation of Red Arrows jets could be assembled at Prestwick Airport
Aeralis is discussing a strategic partnership with the central Ayrshire airport, which is owned by the Scottish Government. The company is the only one in the UK which is designing and building a manned light jet aircraft which could equip the RAF's display team, or be sold on the international export market. The Red Arrows currently fly Hawk T1 jets which are several decades old and due to be retired in 2030. Aeralis says components for the replacement jets would be built around the UK before being assembled at Prestwick, where the aircraft would take their first flight. The airport was bought by the Government for £1 in 2013, though officials hope to sell it back to the private sector. Ian Forgie, chief executive of Prestwick Airport, said: 'We are tremendously excited about this agreement with Aeralis and the opportunity it brings to generate jobs, apprenticeships, investment and innovation in the Prestwick area. 'We look forward to working with Aeralis to make this happen.' Tristan Crawford, chief executive of Aeralis, said: 'Prestwick represents an ideal site for our UK final assembly line. 'The airport has a strong aviation legacy particularly in whole aircraft manufacture, as well as excellent local aerospace manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) resources, and an operating model well suited to supporting new aerospace programmes. 'This will provide Aeralis with tremendous operating capability for building, testing and industrialising the new aircraft, meaning Prestwick is the perfect choice for Aeralis.' The company said it 'awaits UK Government commitment to the aircraft in order to move forward with these plans that will clearly return Scotland to its deserved place as a first-tier aviation nation'. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'As home to Scotland's largest aerospace cluster, Prestwick is an ideal place to locate new advanced manufacturing facilities for the aviation sector. 'News of this potential investment, and ongoing discussions between Aeralis and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to finalise an agreement for the production of training aircraft, are welcome.'
The National
an hour ago
- The National
New Scot blends politics and patter in bold comedy fundraiser
He brought a revamped version of his hit Glasgow Comedy Festival show, Chips, Cheese and Curry, to Blackfriars on Thursday, performing a special charity gig in support of a family in Gaza. After calling himself 'Romesh Ranganathan from Temu' within the first five minutes of the set and comparing his hometown of Sirohi, India to Aberdeen, – both places where 'all you think about is leaving' – one would be forgiven if they assumed he was not proud of his roots. READ MORE: From Lewis Capaldi to a long-awaited apology – plenty to be positive about in June However, Rathore delivered a 50 minute gig that served as not just a charity fundraiser or a run of the mill comedy set, but a nuanced exploration of leaving home and finding it in a place that doesn't often know what to do with you. Since coming to Scotland, the comic has had a number of experiences – some good, some bad and some side-splittingly wild (looking at you, Falkirk dating scene). After being offered 'halal' class A drugs in a Dundee pub toilet, Rathore came to the astute conclusion that our wee island nation is 'racist but welcoming'. He explored the ramifications of the East India Company and the UK's troubled history of colonialism with slick observational humour and a fairly accurate impression of the beloved naturalist David Attenborough. A few of the technical issues he faced would have left any novice comic flailing on stage, but Rathore handled it with style, incorporating the hitches into the set and improvising with crowd work until problems with sound were resolved. READ MORE: 'Hold its head in shame': Gary Linker hits out at BBC for dropping Gaza documentary And shout-out to Rathore's dad, who has unknowingly become a Glasgow micro-celebrity with his accidental inclusion of Nigel Farage quotes in a Facebook eulogy for a friend who had passed away. Despite English being his fourth language, he shows an innate and witty understanding not just of Scottish culture but of the core pillar of our society too: our patter. From accidentally joining an Orange Walk to the bizarre parties our funerals often turn into, Chips, Cheese and Curry acts as a sneaky love letter to his hometown and the things that inadvertently tie it to Glasgow. Rathore has once again proven himself as one to watch on the Glasgow comedy scene. He will make his Edinburgh Fringe debut later this summer, performing at The Snug from July 31 – August 4. Verdict – four stars.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Next generation of Red Arrows jets could be assembled at Prestwick Airport
Aeralis is discussing a strategic partnership with the central Ayrshire airport, which is owned by the Scottish Government. The company is the only one in the UK which is designing and building a manned light jet aircraft which could equip the RAF's display team, or be sold on the international export market. The Red Arrows currently fly Hawk T1 jets which are several decades old and due to be retired in 2030. Aeralis says components for the replacement jets would be built around the UK before being assembled at Prestwick, where the aircraft would take their first flight. The airport was bought by the Government for £1 in 2013, though officials hope to sell it back to the private sector. Ian Forgie, chief executive of Prestwick Airport, said: 'We are tremendously excited about this agreement with Aeralis and the opportunity it brings to generate jobs, apprenticeships, investment and innovation in the Prestwick area. 'We look forward to working with Aeralis to make this happen.' Tristan Crawford, chief executive of Aeralis, said: 'Prestwick represents an ideal site for our UK final assembly line. 'The airport has a strong aviation legacy particularly in whole aircraft manufacture, as well as excellent local aerospace manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) resources, and an operating model well suited to supporting new aerospace programmes. 'This will provide Aeralis with tremendous operating capability for building, testing and industrialising the new aircraft, meaning Prestwick is the perfect choice for Aeralis.' The company said it 'awaits UK Government commitment to the aircraft in order to move forward with these plans that will clearly return Scotland to its deserved place as a first-tier aviation nation'. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'As home to Scotland's largest aerospace cluster, Prestwick is an ideal place to locate new advanced manufacturing facilities for the aviation sector. 'News of this potential investment, and ongoing discussions between Aeralis and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to finalise an agreement for the production of training aircraft, are welcome.'
