Matugga Distillers prepares to start production

By Helen Gilbert

Published: 23 October, 2018

A new family-run £100,000 rum distillery in central Scotland is preparing to start production.

Matugga Distillers in Livingston, which was founded by husband and wife duo Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa, expects to see a 400% increase in turnover over the next 12 months.

Equipped with two 200 litre copper pot stills, the facility will be capable of producing 50,000 litres of artisanal rum in first year - the equivalent of 2 million single rum serves, the business said.

The couple plan to build on their Matugga Golden Rum (42% ABV) and Matugga Spiced Rum (42% ABV), series, which draws inspiration from their combined Ugandan and Jamaican family heritage and was originally small batch distilled in England before the family moved to Livingston in July 2017.

Said to have a uniquely East African flavour profile, Matugga is made with sugar cane molasses from the region and a masala chai blend of black tea, ginger, cloves, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon.

Speaking about the brand, which already has an export listing with French distributor Dugas, Master Distiller, Paul Rutasikwa, said the distillery’s ethos was underpinned by the Swahili saying ‘pole pole’ (pronounced poleh poleh), which means ‘slowly slowly’.

“We want people to slow down, sip, savour and share our rums with friends and family,” he said.

CEO Jacine, added: “Building on the success we’ve had in Europe, the next year will see us focus on making friends and contacts in the on-trade and off-trade; while continuing to bring something different to the UK rum scene as a whole. The signature smokey aspect of our rums isn’t dissimilar to lightly peated whiskies; making them the perfect sipping spirit or a quality addition to popular cocktails, like an Old Fashioned."

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