History

From farm to glass and a passion for flavor Skånska Spritfabriken was founded by two entrepreneurs, Kim Paulin and Jan Rothman, who in Skåne found the drive to use local ingredients and create truly unique spirits. In 2006 the first apple distillation produced Æppelglöd and Österlen – a Swedish calvados-inspired spirit. The early success was followed by further development and award-winning products. Over the years the distillery has expanded its range to gin, whisky, rum, aquavit and apple spirits – all based on local ingredients and craft traditions. The history is characterized by constant innovation and care for ingredients and the environment. The years have brought numerous awards and recognitions – for example London Dry gin, which in 2017 was named the world's best gin for gin and tonic by IWSC, and the success later continued in international markets. In 2024 the company was named Skåne’s Beverage Producer of the Year due to its ongoing focus on local ingredients and innovation. The same year the distillation of rum and Skånsk Åker began – a rum and a vodka-inspired spirit made from refined Skåne sugar beet – and both products won medals, including a silver in London for Skånsk Rom. The Story – Apple: From the farm in Skåne, two entrepreneurs began to utilize the fruits and ingredients around them, which led to a range of award-winning products. The story is also described through their marketing and a joint project to preserve Skåne's ingredients and craftsmanship throughout the process. In 2024 Skånska Spritfabriken expanded production with rum and Skånsk Åker and received medals, including silver in London. The distillery and the farm in Södra Sandby continue to focus on sustainability, locally rooted ingredients, and a blend of tradition and modernity.

Production / Manufacturing

The still and distillation method

• The main distillery features the handmade copper pot still, Balthazar, which comes from France. The still is used for gin, whisky, rum, aquavit and apple spirit.
• The still and the distillation process are described as a carefully controlled, craft-based process, where the raw materials impart nuances and character to the distillate.
• The still and the process enable scalable production (up to tenfold), supporting both their own brand and contract manufacturing for other companies.

Raw materials and terroir

• Most of the ingredients utilize locally around the farm: sugar beets, malted grain, and apples are grown on the farm, while other raw materials are sourced locally from nearby farmers.
• The production emphasizes natural ingredients with no added sugars or artificial additives, with a focus on traceability and local roots.

Aging and ecology

• Whisky and other spirits are aged in different types of wood: lightly toasted French oak casks, apple and other special casks, as well as Slovenian and stout barrels in some whisky releases.
• The craftsmanship highlights Balthazar's ability to preserve the character of the raw materials and maximize the body and mouthfeel of the distillate.
• The environment and sustainability are central to production: distillation is powered by biogas and energy management focuses on heat exchangers and reuse of waste products; water savings and circular solutions are in focus, including reusing distillery effluent as fertilizer, bioenergy or animal feed.

Glass, packaging and sustainability

• The company emphasizes bottle and carton reuse and recycling, uses eco-friendly materials, with the glass designed as lightweight bottles, and the packaging processes adhere to producer responsibility and waste management rules.

Economic and cultural framework

• The distillery offers various experiences and events, including tours, tastings, and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as the possibility to become a cask owner and receive a personal label on a bottle, giving customers the chance to blend their own drinks and experiences.

The Whisky Series

The Traveler

• Type: single malt whisky.
• Production data: aged for 7 years in Sandby Moss, first in lightly toasted French oak casks and then in apple casks; Grain malt: Trolle Ljungby; Malt: Fjälkinge; Wort: Torna Hällestad; Distiller: Jan Rothman; Still: Pot Still; Region: Cognac.
• Description: Referred to as a single malt whisky whose journey shaped the taste and the overall concept of the distillery and its ingredients.

The Returnee

• Type: double cask whisky (the term is used in the content; the details about the base malt are not explicit in the text for this product, but it is mentioned as an 8-year-old whisky).
• Production data: aged in Sandby Mosse for 8 years; first in lightly toasted Slovenian oak barrels and final maturation in stout barrels. Distilled by Jan Rothman, 100% Swedish ingredients; Still: Pot Still; Region: Cognac.
• Notes: describes a flavorful journey across Europe and the use of two different cask types to achieve complexity.

Visits and Experiences

• Farm shop and store: The distillery offers on-site shop with the possibility to buy classics and limited editions directly on site, as well as hosting tastings and guided tours.
• Tastings and events: The company offers tastings of gin, rum and whisky, and hosts corporate events, including team-building and tailored programs, as well as the possibility to create your own gin with a batch and a personalized label.
• Cask ownership: Opportunity to buy a 30-liter cask and follow the maturation, with the cask and label personally customized; possibility to participate in filling and tastings along the way.
• Access to information: Visits and events are described as a unique opportunity to experience the distillery behind the scenes and learn about the craft.

Philosophy and Sustainability

• Craft and innovation: Skånska Spritfabriken describes its approach as a collaboration between traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation, where the raw materials come from the farm or local farmers, and where flavor is put at the center throughout the process.
• Ecology and certification: The company is organically certified (EKO) and follows EU rules for organic production; they also describe work with local ingredients and collaboration with nearby farmers.
• Circular economy and resource use: Waste and by-products are reused; spent wash and other residues are used for energy or fertilizer, and there is a focus on water savings and recycling process water in distillation.
• Community engagement: The company promotes public events, shares knowledge about the art of distillation, and supports the local community through experiences and events.