Gin anyone?

ailsa

If you’re a fan of gin (like I am!), Scotland is the place to be. You might not know it, but there are over 50 producers of gins thoughout Scotland from Dumfries and Galloway to Shetland. You might have heard of some (Hendricks or Eden Mill anyone?) but I bet that there are loads you’ve never tried yet. I haven’t, and I’m taking it as a challenge! :P

A few of my current favourites are Edinburgh Gin (their elderflower gin is to die for) and Pickerings (based at the brilliant Summerhall in Edinburgh). I also loved visiting the Isle of Harris distillery in Tarbert and sampling their delicious gin. And there are new distilleries opening all the time, the newest one I can think of is Crafty Distillery, opening soon near Newton Stewart!

5pm just created this brilliant gin map of Scotland, so I’ll be using that to start ticking some off my list

Do you have a favourite Scottish gin? Or which gins are on your list to try next?

argyllgirl

My favourites (so far) are Kirkjuvagr and Loch Ness. 

FullStopNextChapter

Harris gin is definitely top of my list. A close second is Orkney Gin Company with both their Johnsmas and Rhubarb Old Tom bottles. 

Caorunn is also REALLY good

Horizons

Botanist (made in Briuchladdich) and the aforementioned Isle of Harris.

EdinBrawGary

There are so many great Scottish gins, some of our personal favourites are: 

Electric Spirit, NB Gin, Wild Island Bontanic Gin, Pickering's and Caorunn.

Excited to see a new gin on the block - Leith Gin, looking forward to trying that out. 

Pickering's have a great distillery tour in Edinburgh, really great value!
https://www.edinbraw.com/pickerings-gin-distillery-tour-summerhall-edinburgh/ 

VisitScotlandAmanda

I went to the Edinburgh Gin Festival last year and there was a talk by the creator of Daffy's Gin - loved learning about the process and LOVED tasting it! Daffy's is now one of my favourites, as is good ole Edinburgh Gin and Pickerings. I'm desperate to try the Isle of Harris gin!

ailsa

Great suggestions, thanks everyone! These are going to top of my list. And @EdinBlogger, I work down in Leith and had never heard of Leith Gin, will definitely check that one out in a pub near me!

alowlandhighlander

When I was back visiting my homeland (Caithness) I discovered Rock Rose Gin from Dunnet.  If you know Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on mainland Britain and I often imagine the waves of the Pentland Firth crashing against the cliffs at Dunnet as I enjoy a tipple!

alowlandhighlander

As an adopted Borderer now there are a few in the south of Scotland which should be tasted if you get the chance.

Lilliard Gin based at Born in the Borders near Jedburgh, perfect to combine beer and gin tasting, maybe not at the same time though . The other one in the Borders is Kelso Gin Company who produce Crow Man's Gin with regular tasting sessions in Rutherfords Micropub in Kelso.  Have I missed any since I wrote this as they are popping up everyone now.

Crafty Gin in Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway is one I need to explore as is The Distillery, Dalton also in Dumfries & Galloway but don't know much about that one.

alowlandhighlander

When I was back in my homeland (Caithness) a few months ago, I discovered Rock Rose Gin from Dunnet Bay. If you know, Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on British mainland, I often imagine the waves of the Pentland Firth crashing against the cliffs while having a wee tipple. 

VisitScotlandMuriel

I like gin but unfortunately it doesn't like me!! It gives me a migraine if I have more than 2 G&T's!! 

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VisitScotlandAmanda

Has anyone tried the Kintyre gin? I saw it at Bowfest over the weekend but never had a chance to try!

FullStopNextChapter

I haven't tried the Kintyre gin @VisitScotlandAmanda but I did get my hands on a (relatively) new Orkney gin called Seaglass. It's really nice and fresh too. They also make vodka.

NaelM

We have been working our way through the Scottish gins for a while, must have tasted close to 40 now. Oops. Hard to pick a favourite, so many good options! Tried Kintyre Gin at the weekend it was very nice indeed. Also met and tried the new McLean's Gin, which was unlike any other gin we have tasted (in a good way). The couple make it by hand in their cupboard in Glasgow! We had Gin Bothy's Gunshot which I preferred neat rather than mixed - sweet (maybe slightly too sweet for some) but VERY festive, would be great around the fire at Christmas.

travelswithakilt

VisitScotlandAmanda said:

Has anyone tried the Kintyre gin? I saw it at Bowfest over the weekend but never had a chance to try!

Kintyre is good Amanda aye, popped into their distillery on Kintyre's east peninsula last year. Still very early days but very big focus on the local production. Not quite my favourite but a very solid option - this is their solitary, shiny new still. Even better was McQueen's Gin, out of Callander. Really out their with their amazing flavourings - Mint Choc, Lemon, Mocha.....it's all a bit bizarre but doesn't half work.

FurrybootsCity

Quite a few gins on my list to experience and learn about. 

In Dundee you have Verdant Spirits which in 2017 won Gin of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards. I'll really need to sample the fruits of their labour! They are based in the Blackness area of the city in a former jute mill building! Lots of history and features there! They are intending to restore the old mills to house a shop and visitor centre so that would be a superb asset for the city if they could progress with that!!!

https://www.verdantspirits.co.uk/pages/home

In Fife I would love to see the development of the the Eden Mill gin facilities in Guardbridge. You can join a guided tour of their facilities too! I always remember passing when it was the paper mill when going on holidays to the East Neuk. Eden Mill started off small and have progressively expanded and increased their offering. They recently stated their intention to invest £4 million pounds to create new production facilities and along with cafe/bar, visitor centre and presentation rooms. Great to see local Scottish ventures increasing their offerings for locals and visitors alike!

Other gin producers I have my eye on include Gin Bothy from Kirriemuir in the Angus Glens and Arbikie Gin from Inverkeilor nr Arbroath.


The sector is going through a well-documented boom and it is heartening to see Scottish businesses developing and growing! Good stuff!
 

VisitScotlandAbigail

I've always stuck to good old Hendricks gin, but recently been curious about some of the more unique flavours of Edinburgh Gin. I hear their Rhubarb and Ginger gin is out of this world!

FullStopNextChapter

@VisitScotlandAbigail - I haven't tried any of the normal Edinburgh Gin but the rhubarb and ginger liqueur (with lemonade) is a belter! Really tasty. 

VisitScotlandAbigail

@FullStopNextChapter I'll have to try it! Wee bit of lemonade and some lime then I'll be set for the summer 

FullStopNextChapter

I was recently invited to 1881 Distillery at the Peebles Hydro in the Scottish Borders. 

They have started making their own gin and a selection of tonics. Using spring water that has supplied the Hydro with water for treatments since 1881. 

We went back to the classroom for a Gin School Experience. You can read all about it over on my blog.