Meet the Producers | Matugga Distillers | 2023

Matugga Distillers was founded by husband and wife team, Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa. The company produces a diverse range of multi-award winning rums from scratch, blending distilling skills honed in Scotland with rich African and Caribbean roots.

Using high-quality molasses imported from Africa and visionary spirit-making processes to create a unique portfolio of flavours, their rums are carefully crafted through small-batch copper pot distillation. All fermented, distilled, matured and bottled at their distillery and bonded warehouse in Livingston.

They produce the full spectrum of rum styles – from high-quality unaged white rums to smooth, cask-aged rums and aromatic spiced and fruity flavoured rums which are retailed under two signature brands, Matugga and Liv. Their flagship product is Matugga Golden, a gourmet pure single rum matured in ex-bourbon casks bringing tropical and wood spice notes and a smokey finish. 

Their rums have been recognised by global drinks experts through several prestigious international awards, including an Outstanding Gold medal from this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition for Mavuno 2022, their first 3-year-old rum.

Matugga have also set their ambitions on developing a sugarcane plantation on their family land in Uganda where they will employ and train local agricultural workers and become a ‘Cane to Cask’ producer.

Matugga’s award winning creations will be available to explore at this year’s festival.

Website | matuggarum.com

Facebook | fb.com/matuggarum 

Instagram | @matuggarum 

Twitter | @matuggarum