Exceptional processability and good alcohol yield has prompted Scotland's largest whisky producer, Diageo, to increase their intake of Troon spring barley for the second year running.
"We doubled our intake of Troon last year and this harvest we are looking to take in more again," says Diageo's process support specialist, Vic Cameron. "Last year Troon performed very well in all four of our maltings. It malted evenly and was easy to process in both malting and distilling, which is very important for us."
As a low GN variety for the low nitrogen malt distilling market, Diageo are looking at Troon as a direct replacement for a proportion of Decanter.
High nitrogen Decanter is still required, but like for like, Troon is streets ahead in terms of yield and processability, says Mr Cameron.
"Decanter is a thin grain which gives high screenings, whereas Troon is a lovely bold grain with lower screenings which means less waste in the maltings.
"I have received no complaints about processing from any of our maltings, and that is a big issue when companies have fewer resources."
The majority of Troon is sourced from growers in north eastern Scotland, and last year nitrogen levels were also very good, adds Mr Cameron. "We are looking for nitrogens between 1.45 and 1.55, with the lower nitrogen giving more starch and therefore more alcohol yield."
