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‘Creating a first – pure Scottish Highland first birch water designed to be paired with single malt whisky. Given our passion for heritage and tradition with Uisge Beithe (birch water) being the inspiration for the name Uisge Beatha (whisky) we have created a natural pairing. We look forward to you coming along on the journey with us.’
BIRKENTREE is the old Scots word for Birch tree and the original Birchwater dedicated to whisky.
It has been created by four friends – Rob, Gabrielle, Elspeth and Euan – to fill a gap in the market as a natural mixer for whisky.
Birchwater from Japan and America has been used to good effect to complement their fine single malts but, surprisingly, there is little evidence of Scotch Whisky being combined with Scottish Birchwater – BIRKENTREE aims to remedy this!
Our Birchwater imparts a smoothness and elegance in a way which complements and enhances whisky.
Our Founder Directors, Rob Clamp (a professional forester) and his wife Gabrielle (a herbalist), have an intimate knowledge of forestry, native Scottish species and plants.
They select carefully only the most venerable birch trees which range in age from one hundred to two hundred and fifty years old.
Other than the exciting prospect of a new dedicated natural mixer for the world of whisky, one of the most compelling aspects of our product is its ancient place within Scottish history.
HARVESTTIME BIRKENTREE: Birchwater is harvested straight from the tree in its purest, most natural, form.
These ancient birch trees are unique to Scotland due to our geographical position, climate and topography. As a result, we have discovered that these trees produce the smoothest, most delicate, Birchwater. Harvesting only lasts for three to four weeks during early Spring when the Highland forests awake from their Winter slumber. Nutrient-rich water is drawn up through the tree’s capillary structure and converted into mineral-rich sap to enable the tree to come back into leaf again.
Like our ancestors, we carefully hand tap the trees and collect the Birchwater. We only take 1-2% of the liquid the tree draws up on a daily basis. This process, which has been carried out for generations, is sustainable, non-invasive and completely harmless to the tree itself. We ‘re-plug’ the small holes with birch wood after tapping has been completed.
At BIRKENTREE, not only do we produce the finest Birchwater,
we also actively manage our ancient birch woods in Highland Perthshire to ensure that these woodlands
are cherished and thriving for generations to come.
Most photos © Birken Tree.
Birchwater is boarded on Slow Food Ark of Taste. https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/birch-water/
