Reviving traditions with green hydrogen
Zero emission H2 direct firing offers a unique opportunity to revive traditional practices that were once core to crafting Scotland’s world-renowned spirit. Over recent decades, the method of delivering heat in a distillery has become increasingly standardised with steam heating delivering reliable, consistent heat to the process. Until the 1950s / 1960s, most of the whisky was produced by direct coal firing.
As distilleries were modernised, this practice was largely replaced with indirect steam heating and with the introduction of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) in late 2002, this practice has been all but removed, with the exception of a handful of compliant, pressurised gas direct-fired stills.
This direct flame against the copper stills meant that the still and spirit saw a wide variety of temperatures creating conditions that cannot be produced with steam heating. It is a part of the process that is thought by many to offer a unique character and flavour to the finished product.