Global Excellence Awards 2023| 25 In the world of whisky, it is easy to look backwards and celebrate past glories, content that the best has already been. This is not the approach taken by Agitator however, a company that remains wholly confident that the best has yet to be created. To remedy this, the team are seeking to bring whisky into the 21st century, rethinking it from the ground up to achieve a new gold standard for both the drink and its production. For Agitator’s team, taste is the only guiding principle, and they are unafraid of experimenting or going against the grain in search of new masterpieces. Most Innovative Luxury Whiskey Manufacturers - Scandinavia of pairs of stills, the highest possible yield of flavour combinations can be achieved. Furthermore, across these processes, there is an emphasis on sustainability, with the team seeking out new, pioneering ways to minimise their environmental footprint. Since we only have the one planet on which to enjoy whisky, Agitator has adopted a series of sustainable methods that make production kinder to the environment, once more highlighting its steadfast commitment to innovation. Some examples of what the business is already doing in its quest for sustainability include using heating direct from the district heating network, which is then returned to the grid and recycled to heat homes and offices, as well as refusing to burn oil in production, again utilising the district’s renewable energy sources. Moreover, energy recovery is prioritised, and the hot air created during the distillation process leads into the company warehouse and heats it up during winter months, meaning that as much of the energy created as possible is recycled. Another example of this is that all of the waste heat created from the spirit stills is used in the operation of both the mash stills and brewing plant. In addition to this, an open cooling tower is used that leverages Sweden’s low outdoor temperatures for cooling, and all the spent grain is taken by a local farmer and used as animal feed, with left over distillation residue being used in the production of biogas. Further showcasing Agitator’s excellence is the series of collaborations it has fostered, with both the creation and bottling of spirits for other brands being carried out. Agitator’s partnership with Sweden Rock, Scandinavia’s largest hard rock festival that releases a whisky every year, is particularly impressive, and in 2022 and 2023, Agitator was the partner of choice, producing two excellent offerings. Another partnership that yielded two distinct creations was with whisky blogger and tasting leader Samuel Lindlöf, with Samuel himself being involved throughout, contributing his experience and input to the creation of two distinct single malts. As pioneers in the industry bolstered by a commitment to sustainable practise and whisky that is sure to satisfy, Agitator is a standout company that is continuously revitalising whisky to be enjoyed sustainability not only in the present but way into the future. Contact: Oskar Kalmaru Company: Agitator Web Address: www.agitatorwhisky.com hile whisky production is traditionally a conservative industry, Agitator in the heart of Sweden is committed to doing things differently, whether this be using different types of wood in its aging barrels or utilising its unique vacuum distillation method to create something that is better tasting, even if tradition would argue otherwise. In its drive for excellence, the company has succeeded in creating some distinctive, flavoursome offerings, such as its single malt whisky, which blends four different casks to achieve flavours of vanilla, red apple, citrus, and dried fruit, as well its blended whisky, which has been expertly balanced with malt, vanilla fudge, and caramelised sugar for a fruity taste. These unique flavours are possible only due to a process of continuous refinement and experimentation, something that begins in Agitator’s distillery. Here, a choice selection of equipment is used that reflects this drive to produce the highest quality products, utilising the latest in modern technology, blended with curiosity and willing, to do so. Vacuum distillation is one of the key elements aiding this process, with all spirits being distilled in this manner, something rare across the world. The lowpressure boilers result in a lower boiling point, in turn treating the raw material milder and providing a richer flavour. Another notable element is double boiler pairings, with these serving as perhaps the most decisive factor in securing the desired flavours from the distillation process. Stills used are a combination of both high and narrow and short and compact, with the size and shape of these producing totally different spirits. Having built its distillery with double W
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