Brains behind Bramble launch SeaWolf Scottish rum

seaWolf rum cropped

Bramble bosses Mike Aikman and Jason Scott have teamed up with Gavin Ferguson, co-founder of Scottish independent wine merchants Vino Wines, to create Seawolf – a new white rum made in Scotland.

Together, the trio formed Boilermaker Drinks Co. with the aim to create a portfolio of spirits distilled in Scotland. They claim their first launch, SeaWolf, is the first white rum to be distilled on Scottish soil.

Bottled at 41% abv, the new rum is 18-months in the making and will have a limited first run, with only 300 bottles available before the end of the year.

Mike Aikman, who also runs Edinburgh bars The Last Word and Lucky Liquor Co with Jason Scott, said, “Rum is a massive player in the cocktail world. However, when we started looking around for a British brand, we realised that very few brands are distilled here and so SeaWolf was born.”

“British rum is about to have its time in the spotlight”

He added, “Unlike gin which we feel is reaching saturation point in the market, British rum is about to have its time in the spotlight and we aim to be at the forefront of this.”

SeaWolf is produced in Angus at Ogilvy Spirits by fermenting the spirit’s base ingredient, cane molasses, at low temperature using rum and champagne yeasts.

It is described as having “notes of unripe banana and sugar cane” that give way to “tropical fruits on the palate with a faint citrus and spice finish”.

Aikman added, “Scotland is not the ideal climate to be making rum in but we love a challenge so we set about developing a full-flavoured rum good enough to work well straight and as a base for cocktails.

“It had to have character, flavour, mouthfeel and body which can be difficult with an unaged spirit but we hope we’ve delivered on all aspects.”

The name “SeaWolf” is taken from the Native American term for killer whales. It offers a subtle nod to both Britain’s naval links with rum importation but also the pods of sea wolves that are found dotted around the Scottish coastline today.

It’s clear medicinal-style bottle is an extension of the company’s contemporary outlook, with the whale illustration adding an artisanal touch.

SeaWolf launches 1 December priced RRP £29.99 for 50cl bottles and is available here.