A gin distillery in Scotland is leveraging blockchain technology to enhance transparency regarding the quality of the water used in its spirits. (Photo: Roehill Springs Distillery/Facebook)

A family-operated gin distillery based in the heart of Keith, Scotland, has embraced blockchain technology to enhance transparency regarding the sourcing and quality of the water integral to its spirit production.

Developed in collaboration with the CENSIS IoT Evolve initiative and supported by the Scottish Government and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, as reported by Scottish Financial News, this innovative approach marks a pioneering application of sensor data integration with a digital ledger.

Blockchain refers to a decentralized and distributed digital ledger technology that records transactions across a network of computers in a secure, transparent and tamper-resistant manner. It consists of a chain of blocks, each containing a list of transactions. These blocks are linked and secured using cryptographic hashes, making it challenging for any single entity to alter the information retroactively.

Blockchain is widely associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but its applications extend to various industries, including finance, supply chain, healthcare and more, offering a secure and efficient way to record, verify and track transactions or information.

Harnessing the power of this technology, Roehill Springs has strategically positioned flow meters at both the distillery and the family farm’s spring to relay pertinent data to a designated application via Bluetooth. According to Scottish Financial News, this data is simultaneously transferred to a private blockchain, allowing consumers direct access via QR codes on each bottle along with comprehensive ingredient information.

“The system we have developed is one of the first to take data from sensors and put it directly into a blockchain,” shared Ally Longmuir, business development manager at CENSIS, in the report.

“It is a great use of these technologies in combination to increase transparency – and with that comes benefits from a brand perspective – and drive efficiency within the business, removing the need for manual processes and opening up the opportunity to reduce water use.”

Duncan Morrison, co-proprietor of Roehill Springs, noted that the initial focus on water usage has proven so successful that the distillery is actively exploring additional applications of this cutting-edge technology.

“When we realised the potential blockchain offered in combination with IoT, we felt it was the right way forward for enhancing the transparency of what we do,” Morrison said, per Scottish Financial News.

“While we have started with water usage, the project has been so successful we are looking at other ways the technology can be used to support our aims of being completely open with our customers about the products they consume and reducing our own environmental footprint.”

Roehill Springs Distillery, a small artisan distillery in northeast Scotland, is a family-run business on a third-generation farm. Husband and wife team Duncan and Shirley Morrison lead the venture. Distilled in a 30-liter pot still, the firm’s gin features locally foraged botanicals and natural spring water from Roehill, named after the abundance of roe deer on the land. According to the distillery, its copper pot still imparts a “copper kiss” for a lighter, fruitier gin.

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