Fish & Fishing | RR Spink & Sons
Arbroath based RR Spink & Sons has been smoking fish using traditional methods since the early 1700s. Today it is one of the largest producers of speciality smoked fish in the UK and one of the last independent specialist fish companies. The business was bought by Scot Trout in 2000, enabling a major brand investment programme which has ensured the survival of the Spink brand name. RR Spink & Sons is the proud holder of two Royal Warrants from The Queen and the late Queen Mother. These are a mark of recognition to companies who have regularly supplied goods for at least five years to members of the Royal Family and are regarded as a mark of excellence and quality.
The Spink brand has become synonymous with the famous Arbroath Smokie. While this only accounts for a small proportion of sales, the core business is producing premium, Arbroath Smoked, ready to eat, fish delicatessen smoked products comprising trout, salmon, mackerel and premium kipper fillets.
Bob Spink is the director responsible for ensuring the skills and expertise learned over the 300-year family history still live on, passing down smoking, seasoning and curing techniques. He was instrumental in spearheading Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Arbroath Smokie from the European Commission in March 2004 – a process that took over two years guaranteeing its heritage and authenticity. This means only haddock smoked in the traditional method within 8km of Arbroath can be sold as an authentic Arbroath Smokie.
While championing the livelihood of the small smokehouses in the “toon”, Bob designed RR Spink & Sons’ special smoking kilns to enable the Smokie to be produced for supermarkets while maintaining the traditional smoking methods.
Bob believes the best way to eat a Smokie is with a cup of tea for breakfast, opened with the bone removed and gently heated, brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with a little chopped parsley.