Meet the Maker: Feragaia

Meet Feragaia, Scotland’s first alcohol-free spirit, reinventing the concept of non-alcoholic drinks with their authentic production process and rich flavours. We talked to co-founder Jamie Wild about how they’re shaking up the concept of ‘alcohol-free’, how their Scottish roots play a huge part in the brand, and why sustainability underpins everything they do.

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In the beginning

“In 2018 my now-business partner, Bill, and I had a catch up after he’d been away in America - a catch up which turned out to be a pretty pivotal moment for us both. While Bill had been in the States launching UK spirit brands in the US, and I had been working at a large spirits company in the UK, we had noticed the shift in consumer habits towards drinking. We started toying with the idea of creating something that celebrates the authenticity of the spirits process, and the passion and stories of great gins and whiskies, but in a different format.” Jamie and Bill’s initial spark escalated and led to them leaving their jobs to set up Scotland’s first alcohol-free spirit, Feragaia; a spirit with a greater depth of story, authenticity, and flavour than before seen in alcohol-free spirits.

A Scottish brand

The brand’s Scottish roots influence it in a few ways, firstly on the process side. Centuries of Scottish distillation, famous around the world, has created a rich heritage. On the practical side this meant there were distilleries to speak to, and people with the skills and know-how to help get them going. Being based in Fife, a part of Scotland with fertile soils, meant they didn’t have to look far for a ready supply of botanicals.

As well as playing a direct role in the process and flavours of the spirit, the surrounding landscape plays a key part in the very core of the brand itself. Jamie told us that; “Feragaia means ‘wild earth’ in Latin and Greek, which really sums up the vision of the brand. We want Feragaia over time to protect and restore ‘wild earth’, and give our drinkers a great experience along the way”.

Sustainability at its core

“We are proud of Feragaia’s local supply chain; the local businesses we work with, the producers, the growers and sourcing as much as possible from our local area in ingredients and talent.” The company’s bottles, made from recycled, recyclable glass, feature a recyclable cap; quite rare for spirits. Packaging is plastic-free and FSC-certified, and the botanicals are all composted after distillation. For Jamie, it’s a crucial aspect of the business; “the meaning behind Feragaia is to restore and protect our ‘wild earth’. But although we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken in sustainability, these are simply things customers should expect to see from companies. We want to keep improving our environmental impact, and hopefully be part of an industry where, in the future, having a sustainable core is the norm.”

Bringing flavour to alcohol-free

“Feragaia is not meant to be a non-alcoholic version of another spirit, it’s something new in its own right, designed to challenge the palette with something you’ve never tried before. Feragaia isn’t simply a variation on gin or whisky; it’s genuinely unique. That’s something that’s always been important for us, to make sure we create something new and positive. This has been freeing, as well, as we’re not shackled by expectations. We can be really creative with ingredients and flavours, and be braver and bolder than we could otherwise.”

So what’s involved in this unique drink? 14 unlikely botanicals come together to create complex layers of flavour. Citrussy and herbaceous top-notes give way to an earthy body, with a long-lasting finish of pink peppercorn and ginger.

It’s a journey for the palette, through light, bitter, earthy, warming, and spiced. The versatile flavour, means it can be found in a range of bars, restaurants, and hotels, and offers a wonderful opportunity to give customers something original and complex.

Jamie’s recommended serves

And how does Jamie drink his? “If I’m making a quick Feragaia it will be mixed with tonic. One of the best is Merchant’s Heart pink peppercorn, which is one of the botanicals used in Feragaia, so complements it really well. If I’m taking my time to create a really special drink, I’ll make a Spiced Pear Sour; a really luxurious and delicious cocktail to sip and enjoy.” Find the recipe for a Feragaia Spiced Pear Sour on their website.

What’s next for Feragaia?

“There’s always plenty going on behind the scenes at Feregaia, but a lot of it will be staying under wraps for the time being! We will be announcing some partnerships soon that tie into our sustainable practices and values.

“Due to the pandemic, we’re limited in how we can connect with our customers, but we recently launched some brand videos which really shine a light on who we are, and what our intentions are. Hopefully once everything starts to open up, we will be able to to meet people again, talk to our customers face-to-face, and give people the opportunity to really taste and understand the product, and the people behind it.”

Head over to the Feragaia website to find out more about their alcohol-free spirit and order online: https://feragaia.com/

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