The use of S.pombe in rum, the history, the mystique, the science–introducing AB Biotek’s new Pinnacle Rum pombe
Tracks
Plenary 2
| Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM |
Speaker
Mr Alex Moriarty
Global Technical Lead
AB Biotek
The use of S.pombe in rum, the history, the mystique, the science-introducing AB Biotek’s new Pinnacle Rum pombe.
Abstract
Schizosacchomyces.pombe has a long and rich history with rum making yet currently all commercial yeast products for rum are from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae or bayanus species.
AB Biotek will the first yeast company to introduce an S.pombe dried yeast product to the distilling market.
Synonymous with the high ester “Grand Arôme” rums of the French West Indies as written in the legendary texts of Arroyo, Schizosacchomyces.pombe is known as a robust and tough yeast species that is able to resist low fermentation pH’s and inhibitory organic acids such as butyric and propionic acids that come with the use of dunder and muck.
Schizosacchomyces.pombe can therefore offer the rum distiller a whole new world of different esters and flavour compounds that Saccharomyces cannot deliver.
AB Biotek will the first yeast company to introduce an S.pombe dried yeast product to the distilling market.
Synonymous with the high ester “Grand Arôme” rums of the French West Indies as written in the legendary texts of Arroyo, Schizosacchomyces.pombe is known as a robust and tough yeast species that is able to resist low fermentation pH’s and inhibitory organic acids such as butyric and propionic acids that come with the use of dunder and muck.
Schizosacchomyces.pombe can therefore offer the rum distiller a whole new world of different esters and flavour compounds that Saccharomyces cannot deliver.
Biography
Alex Moriarty
Alex is currently the Global Technical Lead for Distilled Spirits for AB Biotek and works in the Sydney Technical & Development centre.
With 26 years in the yeast industry, he started his yeast career as a laboratory assistant in the pilot fermentation department. Holding many roles over the years from microbiology technician to culture collection manager, Alex was tasked with Biofuels projects from 2009 to 2013 until he was given his first Distilled Beverage Spirits project in 2014. As a senior R&D scientist he was asked to create a new high performing distiller’s yeast product for the scotch whisky industry. Pinnacle MG+ was launched in 2016 and has now become the most popular distillers yeast product in Scotland with its superior alcohol yield, fermentation speed and robustness.
Alex’s latest contribution to the whisky industry is the Pinnacle Distinction series- 8 new distilling yeast products each creating a uniquely different flavour.
Lisa Macrae
Lisa holds the role of Senior Applications Specialist for Distilled Spirits (APAC) with AB Biotek. Her role is focused on technical support to distillers through application optimisation and flavour development. She has 10+ years of expertise within the distilling industry, working within Scotland & Australia and among a wide variety of distilled spirit products. Lisa is the first Australian to be featured on the cover of Whisky Magazine in 2022 while holding the position of Senior Distiller at Archie Rose Distilling Co. She completed the Diploma of Distilling (IBD) in 2023.
