An Aberdeenshire husband and wife have created Scotland’s first premium gin distilled with hand-picked tea.
Inspired by the area’s links to the tea trade, the Teasmith Gin was the brainchild of Nick and Emma Smalley from Udny Green, who spent more than a year learning the art of distilling to perfect their blend.
The spirit is now being distilled in Perthshire’s Strathearn distillery and a limited first batch of 560 bottles goes on sale this week.
More bottles will be produced early next year as the Smalleys aim to expand across the UK as well as internationally.
The couple, who wanted to create a gin using botanicals associated with Aberdeenshire, discovered the nearby Newburgh estuary was once a thriving trading port, with tea being one of its biggest imports.
Mr Smalley said: “Some of the world’s most notable tea-clippers were built in Aberdeen harbour, some of which played a major role in opening up the important tea trade routes with the Far East.
“But it was the story of a young man from Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire, who founded the first tea plantation in Sri Lanka in 1867 that intrigued us the most.
“James Taylor, known as the ‘Father of Ceylon Tea’, transformed the island into one of the finest tea growing regions in the world. This little known tale really affirmed our decision to use tea as one of our key botanicals.”
The couple worked with tea consultant Beverly-Claire Wainwright to source a suitable tea from Sri Lanka.
They chose hand-rolled tea from Amba Estate, produced in small quantities, entirely by hand. The black loose leaf tea is distilled by itself, then blended with double-distilled juniper, coriander, citrus peels and other botanicals.
Mrs Smalley said that while the gin did not actually taste like tea, the leaves give a unique taste that is “light on the palate with a distinct, crisp freshness.”
The couple are planning to to explore the use of other speciality teas for future new products.
The Smalleys were supported in launching the venture by Business Gateway.
Emilia Stanczyk, a business adviser with the organisation, said: “We were very pleased to support Nick and Emma through Business Gateway.
“It has been such a journey to see the development of this idea into a product which is now being created in Scotland and I’ve no doubt it will be enjoyed by many gin enthusiasts throughout the UK and beyond.”
The couple are selling the gin online and through a number of local retailers, with a 70cl bottle priced at £37.50.
