World’s first hydrogen-distilled spirit casked in Scotland

In a groundbreaking moment, Suntory Global Spirits, in partnership with Supercritical Solutions Ltd., have casked the world’s first direct-fired hydrogen-distilled spirit for whisky production at Glen Garioch Distillery, Scotland. Representatives from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) joined the event on November 25 that showcased Suntory’s commitment to sustainable distilling practices.

The spirit, initially distilled using 100 percent hydrogen-fired stills at Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery pilot project in Japan, has been split into two portions for comparative research. One portion will mature under Scottish conditions at Glen Garioch, while the other remains in Japan. The results aim to deepen the understanding of hydrogen-fueled distilling on whisky maturation and quality.

“At Suntory, we are committed to bold steps toward green solutions and decarbonising our distilleries while maintaining the highest quality standards,” said Alistair Longwell, Head of Distilling and Environment. “Projects like WhiskHy are pivotal in our journey to achieving net-zero emissions across our value chain by 2040.”

The CEO of Supercritical Solutions Matt Bird while celebrating the partnership said, “Our zero-emission hydrogen technology preserves the art of whisky-making while powering a net-zero future.”

The UK Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy highlighted the project’s significance saying, “Innovations like this secure the future of our British industrial heritage while leading the clean energy transition.”

The event included ceremonial cask filling, presentations on project progress, and a tour of Glen Garioch’s restored distillery.