One of Scotland's fastest growing micro- distilleries has spent lockdown making hand sanitiser for local healthcare and community workers.
Now, Livingston-based Matugga Distillers are finally gearing up to release the innovative new rum collection that they were hoping to launch in March before the coronavirus outbreak hit.
Husband and wife team Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa, who opened the distillery in 2018, have explained that they are excited to finally release the Liv Rum range which they'd been forced to sit on as they turned their attention to a more important challenge - working hard to help protect frontline care workers.
Hand-crafted by the pair, the new Liv Rum range includes two award-winning white rums - Pot Distilled White Rum (42.5% ABV) and Navy Strength White Rum (57.5% ABV) - and a Black Spiced Rum (40% ABV) infused with Scottish heather.
The pair say that the artisan collection will also include two flavoured liqueurs celebrating Scotland’s abundant fruits and botanicals.
The Raspberry & Hibiscus Rum Liqueur has been made using seasonal hand picked raspberries, while the Honey & Lavender Rum Liqueur created using Scottish honey and locally-sourced lavender.
While the new core range is available for delivery from the firm's website now, the liqueurs are available for pre-order only as they are set for release in July.
It's a thrilling time for one of Scotland's most exciting new spirits companies as they return to making rum and getting the new range bottled and ready for sale.
The Matugga team oversees the entire production process from fermentation and distilling to hand-bottling and the filling of casks, which are stored on-site.
Head distiller Paul said: “It’s been a roller coaster of a year for many of us. Getting our new range to this point, bottled and ready, has been a challenge but we’re proud to be able to unveil our innovative new collection.
"It's a celebration of our love for craft rum, of Scotland’s nature, and the nation’s growing commitment to quality, local producers.
“Liv Rum is the next step in Matugga Distillers’ story, we wanted to create an accessible range of high quality rums that are of great value and showcase the diversity and flexibility of the spirit.”
