Gin, quite simply, is taking Scotland by storm.
There are new distilleries opening up all over the country with some fantastic gins produced by numerous small micro-distilleries through to larger established enterprises.
The country’s historic excellence in whisky means the expertise and infrastructure to create gorgeous gins has been around for decades.
Only now, the potential is finally being realised.
Here are nine must-try Scottish gins on the market right now.
1) Rock Rose Gin – from Caithness
Rock Rose Gin hails from Caithness in the far North of Scotland, where local botanicals are hand foraged from the cliffs and forests, to create a truly exceptional gin with a unique flavour profile. The gin is carefully and slowly distilled by hand at the Dunnet Bay Distillery by husband and wife team, Martin and Claire, whose goal is to create a spirit which showcases the heritage and provenance of Caithness.
The gin is flavourful and fresh, zesty but berryful thanks to a carefully selected collection of local and traditional botanicals, each one meticulously chosen to create the perfect taste. In fact, its name comes from one of these botanicals, the Rhodiola rosea, which adds a delicate floral note to the gin. www.rockrosegin.co.uk
2) Edinburgh Seaside Gin
A limited edition libation created with summer in mind, Edinburgh’s Seaside Gin encapsulates a unique flavour profile of foraged ingredients from Scotland’s East Coast.
Handcrafted by Edinburgh Gin distiller David Wilkinson, this seasonal sip was designed in collaboration with four specially selected postgraduate students from Heriot-Watt’s MSc in Brewing and Distilling.
By infusing beachy botanicals including ground ivy, bladderwrack and scurvy grass along with classic Edinburgh Gin ingredients, the distillers created a mineralistic gin with a hint of salinity – reminiscent of a coastal walk!
Edinburgh’s Seaside Gin is perfect for mixing into a refreshingly unusual G&T on long hot summer evenings. For something a little different, try adding to a Dirty Martini with an anchovy and olive to garnish!
www.edinburghgindistillery.co.uk
3) Shetland Reel
Saxa Vord Distillery is located on the most northerly Island of Unst, only accessible from Shetland mainland by two ferry journeys, via the island of Yell.
Shetland Reel Gin is made in small batches in a 100 litre copper still using only the finest grain neutral alcohol and UK sourced botanicals including apple mint, which is grown and harvested on Unst. The result is a complex and well-balanced traditional gin with a unique Shetland flavour twist leaving the palate clean and fresh.
4) Mulled Gin – by The Gin Bothy from Angus
The Gin Bothy is nestled in the Angus Glens of Scotland, where we create handmade Infused Gins in small batches.
Inspired by Bothy’s of the past, we like to do things the old fashioned way. We infuse our gin with local ingredients which are then hand turned daily to create a rich flavour. Our original Mulled Gin, a spicy infusion of Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Clove, is Christmas in a bottle. It’s popular served with Ginger Ale to add that extra bit of sweetness & delicious heated up for a real winter warmer.
We work with local seasonal fruits in the Bothy & experiment with different flavours. To find out more about our range of gins, why not take a look at www.ginbothy.co.uk
5) Makar Gin – from Glasgow
Makar Glasgow Gin is premium handcrafted gin produced by The Glasgow Distillery Company. Launched in November 2014, Makar is the first ever gin to be produced in the city of Glasgow.
Distilled in small batches in a copper pot still, named Annie, Makar Glasgow Gin is a juniper forward gin entwined with seven other botanicals that are shipped to Glasgow from around the world to a create the perfect balance. The bright and robust flavour of Makar makes it perfect for gin-led cocktails and invigorating with tonic.
An award winning gin, Makar recently achieved 2 ‘Master’ Medals, the highest award, at the Global Gin Masters 2015 competition.
For more information visit www.glasgowdistillery.com
6) Edinburgh Gin
Small batch distilled at the eponymous Edinburgh Gin Distillery, each bottle of multi-award winning Edinburgh Gin is handcrafted in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Gin is an undisputable ode to the Scottish capital. Inspired by the city’s abundant gin-making heritage, it’s created using a carefully balanced blend of 13 botanicals including distinctively soft Scottish heather, milk thistle and pine. The result is a delightful London Dry style gin, with an undeniably Scottish twist!
Clean with a hint of spice on the nose, followed by smooth Scottish botanicals and laid-back citrus on the palate, Edinburgh Gin is the ideal ingredient for classic gin cocktails. And of course, it goes fantastically in a G&T, with a twist of orange to garnish.
www.edinburghgindistillery.co.uk
7) Raspberry – by The Gin Bothy from Angus
The Gin Bothy is nestled in the Angus Glens of Scotland, where we create handmade Infused Gins in small batches.
Inspired by Bothy’s of the past, we like to do things the old fashioned way. Our Raspberry Gin is infused with fresh local berries & hand turned daily to create a rich fruity flavour that goes great with prosecco or tonic.
We work with local seasonal fruits in the Bothy & experiment with different flavours. To find out more about our range of gins, why not take a look at our Facebook or on Twitter.
8) Pickering’s Gin from Edinburgh’s Summerhall Distillery
Pickering’s Gin, Edinburgh’s first gin distillery for over 150 years, is based at the heart of Summerhall in Edinburgh. Pickering’s Gin is distilled in a 500 litre still affectionately known as Gert.
Visitors can book a tour of the distillery daily and will be able to see first-hand the small batch premium gin being distilled, bottled, labelled and sampled! You can discover the history of Summerhall Distillery and learn how this hand crafted small batch gin is made.
Pickering’s Gin is based on an original recipe, handwritten on a fragment of paper dated 17 July 1947, and has been fine-tuned, perfecting its balance and tweaking it for today’s contemporary palate. To find out more about the tours and tastings or to book your place, please email tours@pickeringsgin.com or 0131 290 2901. www.pickeringsgin.com
9) Edinburgh Rhubarb Gin
Handmade in Scotland, Edinburgh Gin’s Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur is the most recent addition to the Edinburgh Gin Fruit Liqueurs collection.
Drawing inspiration from the native fruits and flora grown in the city’s surrounding rural landscapes, each liqueur offers a taste of Scotland. In this case, locally sourced, and freshly picked, Scottish spring-crop rhubarb is macerated in original Edinburgh Gin along with a hint of Oriental ginger.
The perfectly balanced combination of sweet, tangy fruit with a lingering warm finish from the spice makes for a very versatile liqueur indeed. Edinburgh Gin’s Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur is just as at home in a summer punch as a warming festive cocktail, and tastes sublime simply served on the rocks!