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With producers popping up all over the country from the Shetlands to the Borders, it's never been a better time to be a gin fan.
(Released by Twin River Distillery, Location: Banchory, Aberdeenshire, abv: 77%)
Picture: Twin River Distillery
Recently crowned the 'world's strongest gin' after taking the crown from Swedish distillery Smögen Distillery and their Strane Uncut gin which came in at a whopping 76% abv, Banchory-based Twin River created just 101 bottles in the first run of this exciting new gin.
A possible new category for gin, uncut explores the juniper spirit in its purest form, straight from the still, with the producers recommending sipping it over ice with a twist of lemon.
(Released by Verdant Spirits Co., Location: Dundee, abv: 43%)
The surprise recipient of the Scottish Gin of the Year, this small batch gin from Dundee beat out contenders from more established producers such as Makar, Eden Mill and Edinburgh Gin to take the top award.
Juniper led on the nose, it is described as having “fresh notes of citrus on the nose and palate with warm, earthy undertones of spice”.
Included in the carefully curated blend of botanicals, which was inspired by Dundee’s rich trading history and reflects the routes once sailed by traders to and from the city, are Grains of Paradise, Bitter orange and Liquorice.
(Released by Beinn an Tuirc Distillery, Location: Kintyre, Argyll, abv: 43%)
This gin hails from the highest peak in Kintyre, Beinn An Turc (Gaelic for the Hill of the Black Boar) and a small sustainable distillery on the Torrisdale Castle Estate.
Their small German still is used to create Kintyre gin using 12 botanicals including the distinctive Icelandic moss and sheep sorrel to make a rich earthy and floral gin.
(Released by Kelso Gin Company, Location: Kelso, Roxburghshire, abv: 40%)
Picture: Kelso Gin Company
Using only organic grain spirit, The Kelso Gin Company says its range of small batch gins are supremely creamy and made with locally-foraged ingredients to ensure that they are “truly a taste of the Borders”.
The Lovage gin was our favourite of the three on offer (though the other two are also definitely worth checking out), flavoured from locally sourced lovage in the Teviot valley, it really is a show stopper.
(Released by Lilliard, Location: Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, abv: 40%)
Picture: Lilliard Gin
The second of our Borders gins is produced in small batches using botanicals sourced locally to give a "true taste of the Borders".
Another great spirit made in the picturesque Teviot valley, Lilliard recommend enjoying this light floral gin with a good tonic and a sliver of orange rind.
(Released by Crafty Distillery, Location: Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway, abv: 40%)
Picture: Crafty Distillery
Hailing from the idyllic region of Galloway, Hills and Harbours gin is designed to the reflect the area's "forests and unspoilt coastlines", with Noble Fir needles (forest) and Bladderwrack Seaweed (the sea) combined with 9 other botanicals to create a well balanced and versatile gin.
Described as "smooth and vibrant" it has a fruity and spicy nose and a deeply pleasing finish.
(Released by Darnley's Location: Kingsbarns, Fife, abv: 57.1%)
Picture: Darnley's
Renamed and rebranded, Darnley's celebrated their recent homecoming by releasing their classic spiced gin in a navy strength - so named due to its higher strength.
A full flavoured cracker, this new release takes the subtle spice notes of the original, and along with the juniper, cranks it up a notch.
(Released by Glasgow Distillery, Location: Glasgow abv: 43%)
Picture: Glasgow Distillery Co.
Once a hugely popular style of gin, Old Tom has made something of a comeback in recent times and this version from the Glasgow Distillery is a sweet gin in the style of its predecessors.
Made using orange peel, almonds and a small injection of honey, it's the perfect gin for someone with a sweet tooth.
(Released by Kinrara Distillery, Location: Aviemore, abv: 41%)
Picture: Kinrara
This brand new gin is produced in a new distillery in Aviemore, where David Wilson, a graduate from Herriot Watt Univeristy with a masters in Brewing and Distilling, uses Portuguese made stills to create Highland Dry using botanicals such as foraged Rosehips and rowan berries.
(Released by Dornoch Distillery, Location: Dornoch abv: 45.7%)
Picture: Dornoch Distillery
With a recipe perfected after a series of trials, this gin was released by the newly opened Dornoch distillery and is named after Philip and Simon, the two brothers who launched the production site in the grounds of their hotel.
Made using meadowsweet, elderflower, black peppercorn and freeze-dried raspberry, the brothers recommend enjoying it with fresh lemon peel and a pinch of cracked black pepper.
