Retribution Distilling: Brewery Yeast Project (Interview with Rich from Retribution)

1. Briefly tell us about Retribution Distilling Co. and your journey to date (for those who don't know you) 

We are a whisky distillery based in Frome Somerset and the distillery moto is Genius Loci - Spirit of the Place. We look to create flavour at every step of the process, from grain/barley variety, yeast strain, fermentation, direct fired stills through to cask selection. We experiment with local ingredients such as Somerset peat and applewood to infuse malt with flavour. The distillery started in the garden shed back in 2019 and has seen pretty much continual expansion ever since, we are now located on a local farm but are fast running out of room! 

2. What is this brewery yeast project all about and why did you set about it? 

Historically all distilleries would have used yeast from local breweries, it was only during the relatively recent move to centralisation and industrial distilling that the classic distilling yeast strains became main stream. We have over the last few yeas used a lot of dried yeast brewing strains and wanted to take it a step further by getting yeast direct from breweries, breweries that have used the same yeast strain for many years - traditional/historic British yeast strains. And then to show whisky enthusiasts that these brewing strains really create a flavourful new make but also the different brewing strains create different flavours. 

3. What can customers expect if they buy into the project and cask shares? 

Something truly unique. this project is in 2 parts, firstly the new make tasting packs (4 x 10cl samples using yeast from 4 different breweries) which will be ready to ship out in December and then the end whisky tasting packs which will be 4 x 20cl samples of whisky from the 4 casks (different yeast strain per cask) in approx 4-5 years time. 

4. What are you hoping will be the outcome of the project in terms of flavour / variety? 

The hope, and spoiler alert, yeast impacts flavour of the new make in a pretty big way and I hope this project will show you just how much it impacts both the flavour of the new make and hopefully the end whisky - will find out the answer to this one in a few years time. 

5. Anything else you want our readers to know about you / your products / distillery etc. ?

 

2026 is going to be an interesting year for the distillery and we have a substantial amount of liquid that will be turning 3 and we're starting to get to some of the really interesting stuff so keep your eye peeled for some smaller releases (including a chestnut aged whisky) and its not long now till out first English Peated Single Malt releases! Oh and if people want to get early and insider access to the distillery, and future releases, then Club Retribution is a great way to do it.

Thank you Rich for your time, insight and passion for English Whisky. Cheers to all your fantastic projects and products.