Buck & Birch - Wild Food & Drink Innovators

Based in East Lothian, Buck & Birch was launched by creative duo Rupert Waites and Tom Chisholm who share a common love for the outdoors and considerable experience in the hospitality industry. 

The duo have spent their lives immersed in the landscape, scouring land and sea for the very best ingredients and Buck & Birch is their opportunity to step out of the hedgerow and into the kitchen, sharing their findings, drinks, food and knowledge with the world.

The Buck & Birch journey began in 2008 when the first dining event was hosted by Rupert & Tom. Could they create a menu using only ingredients foraged from the landscape and would the diners care and connect? 

Over the next decade the pair have hosted thousands of guests, moved from garden shed to production facility, won awards, worked with industry leaders, world renowned chefs and bartenders. They’ve appeared in feature films, on television and radio, educated, collaborated and innovated.

Distilling the Spirits of the Wild

Following the same ethos as their dining events, Buck & Birch has also launched a range of award-winning handcrafted Scottish liqueurs which are beloved of purists, cocktail makers and gourmands alike.

Tom says,  "Ingredients should be left as nature intended. We don’t manipulate with fancy machines or complex processes and never enhance with chemicals or additives. We champion the fruit, the roots, the shoots, leaves, buds and petals, connected to them by lifetimes spent immersed in the outdoors. Spirit is the support act not the main event, specifically selected to season and compliment not overwhelm. The resulting drinks are our vision of what a contemporary range of Scottish aperitifs and digestifs should be"

Aelder, an elderberry and whisky liqueur, the first in the range made it's debut in 2012 at one of Rupert's supper clubs in Edinburgh and very quickly guests were asking if they could take bottles home with them. It has subsequently been joined by two other liqueurs; ANA and Amarosa.

The Range

Aelder Elixir - Wild Elderbery Liqueur

Bottled at 17% ABV, the Aelder Elixir is a multi award winning liqueur that combines wild elderberries, spices and locally foraged Scottish botanicals with whisky. 

Aelder is perfect for lovers of port, sherry and whisky liqueurs and makes an ideal accompaniement to a cheese board or a dark chocolate dessert.

It's rich, dark and fruity and best enjoyed in front of a roaring fire!

ANA - Birch Syrup Caramel Liqueur

ANA is a vodka based liqueur which is smooth, sweet and indulgent. 

Light and clean on the palate, notes of rich butter caramel, toasted nuts & the mellow glow of spirit combine for a liqueur which is the perfect dinner party finale. 

Definitely one for those with a sweet tooth!

Amarosa - Aromatic Rosehip Rum Liqueur

Ideal for lovers of dark rum, Amarosa combines juicy green apples, honey and herbs with spiced vanilla and molasses to finish.

Pairs perfectly with a charcuterie or mezze platter. 

Enjoy sipped in the summer sun.

Below are some of the awards that the team at Buck & Birch have won:

To find out more or to view the Buck & Birch range, click the link below.

Buck & Birch Scottish Liqueurs