Manx Spirit Explained

ManX Spirit is a clear spirit, 40% alcohol by volume which is distilled by Kella Distillers Ltd in a small distillery in Sulby, Isle of Man. It is produced by redistillation of existing Scottish whiskies, resulting in a clear and colourless product;[1] as of 2012 is the only distilled spirit produced on the Isle of Man.[2] As of 1997, the product sold 50,000 bottles per year, mostly on the Isle of Man and to the Far East.

In 1997, a United Kingdom High Court case, brought by United Distillers and Allied Domecq, concluded that despite being based on whisky and tasting "like a good whisky", the redistillation process and lack of colour meant that the drink could not legally be sold in the United Kingdom while labeled as "whisky".[3] [4]

ManX Spirit won 2 stars in the 2017 Great Taste Awards.[5] It also won a silver medal in the 2019 International Wine and Spirits Competition.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Wines and Spirits of the Celtic Regions. Business Insider. 16 June 2011.
  2. News: Carpenter. Susan. Isle of Man Scenic, tranquil ... and then there's a motorcycle race. Los Angeles Times. December 12, 2012.
  3. News: Manx spirit clearly not true whisky Maturation ruling against 'white' drink. 6 July 2014. Heraldscotland.com. 24 March 1997.
  4. News: Manx spirit fails to make the grade. The Independent. 25 March 1997.
  5. Web site: 2017 Winners | Great Taste Awards . 2017-12-16 . 2017-12-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171217014957/https://greattasteawards.co.uk/2017-winners/ . dead .
  6. Web site: Kella Distillers Limited | ManX, Manx Spirit | Spirit . Iwsc.net. 3 November 2021.