Levenbank Distills Whisky Using African Fonio Grain
The Scottish distillery plans to produce its first fonio-based grain whisky by 2029.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Beer
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Would you try a beer or whisky brewed with fonio, a traditional West African grain?
Scottish distillery Levenbank has announced plans to incorporate the ancient African grain fonio into its whisky production. The move follows a growing trend of beverage manufacturers using the crop to develop new flavor profiles.
Why it matters
Distillers are increasingly turning to fonio to diversify their flavor profiles and differentiate their products in a competitive market. By exploring spicy and fruity notes, manufacturers hope to create unique spirits while potentially opening new export paths for West African growers.
European Union fonio imports grew to 303 tonnes valued at $1.2 million in 2025, with France accounting for 83% of that volume. West African producers yielded 688,232 tonnes of the grain in 2024, led by Guinea, Nigeria, and Mali.
The players
Levenbank
A Scottish distillery planning to launch its first bottled fonio-based whisky in 2029.
Thornbridge
A brewery that announced a collaboration in June 2026 to develop a pale ale using fonio.
Maison Kalao
A French beverage company that launched a beer containing fonio, barley malt, and maize in January 2026.
Brooklyn Brewery
An American brewery that added a permanent Fonio Rising Pale Ale to its product lineup in February 2025.
The details
Levenbank intends to begin distillation in early 2027 to experiment with the grain's unique characteristics. This project joins other beverage initiatives, such as the June 2026 collaboration between Thornbridge and Brasserie de la Senne for a pale ale.
Timeline
2021: EU fonio imports totaled $515,000.
November 2023: CBI published studies on European fonio market.
2024: West Africa produced 688,232 tonnes of fonio.
2025: EU fonio imports reached $1.2 million.
September 29, 2026: Levenbank announced its fonio whisky project.
Culture Shift
This project aligns with the European Union's 2025 fonio import growth trend as manufacturers seek to integrate underutilized ancestral grains into modern beverage recipes. It mirrors a broader societal pivot toward diversifying ingredients in response to changing consumer preferences for unique, sustainable flavors.
Consumers interested in the spirit will likely need to wait until 2029 to see the product on shelves. The development signals that high-end beverage brands are increasingly prioritizing global supply chains to source specialized ingredients for limited-release craft products.
The takeaway
The incorporation of ancient grains like fonio reflects a broader industry movement toward flavoring experimentation and ingredient diversification. Consumers looking for new profiles should watch for craft breweries and distilleries that highlight sustainable, non-traditional base grains.
What happens next
Levenbank is scheduled to begin the distillation process for its fonio-based whisky in early 2027, with the first bottled product expected to reach the market in 2029.
Further reading
Discover more about unique brewing ingredients and trends in the global Beer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
Live Poll
Would you try a beer or whisky brewed with fonio, a traditional West African grain?
