An oil worker has unveiled his ambitious vision for the north-east’s first rum distillery.
Work is already under way to build Dark Matter Distillers’ factory in Banchory, which is due to be complete by October.
And managing director Jim Ewen is already thinking for the future – with aspirations to export the rum to its native Caribbean.
The 45-year-old, who hopes the firm will produce 3,000 bottles a month, said: “Some other companies import rum from the Caribbean, re-bottle it and sell it back to the British market.
“We are hoping to be able to export it for the first time, and who knows, maybe back to the Caribbean.
“We’re going to create an entirely new export market for Scotland with truly unique products of quality and flavour.”
Mr Ewen, who grew up in Dufftown, has spent most of his life working in the oil industry but after new tax laws came into force in 2011 that eased the pressure on micro-distillers and brewers, he knew it was the right time to invest.
“I’m a scientist and I take that approach to our product,” he said.
“The UK is heading down much the same road as the US now.
“America had their craft beer revolution and now we’re following them so I can see it going much the same way with spirits.
“If now you go to a supermarket now you’ll see almost as many craft beers on offer as bigger brewery beers.
“And it is going that way with spirits too – gin has been the thing for the past few years.
“Everyone is now much more aware of quality and variety and are fed up with just the standard.”
Mr Ewen, of Aberdeen, said Banchory was the “perfect location” for the factory, and that the local climate will play a key part in flavouring the rum to make it different from its Caribbean cousin.
The rum will be put into casks and left to weather in the changeable climate – giving it a different taste to the Caribbean variety as there will be more temperature changes.
He added: “We’re taking a giant step away from rum’s traditional Caribbean image of pirates and parrots and planting ourselves firmly in the heart of a country famous for whisky.
“We stand alone. This for us was a deliberate and logical step.”