From flavoured gins and liqueurs to classics and a colourful collection, there's something for all this International Scottish Gin Day.
Orkney Distilling Limited is set to launch a new gin to help raise funds for a rowing expedition to the Northwest Passage.
An adventurous group are planning to be the first to row the famous Northwest Passage, the Arctic route that links the Atlantic and the Pacific – and a Scottish gin brand is on board to help raise funds.
The gin is being made by the team at Orkney Distilling Ltd and is flavoured by botanicals from the Hudson Bay and from Orkney.
The Orkney Distilling Ltd Northwest Passage Expedition gin will launch mid-October at around £39.95, with proceeds going towards the expedition.
Linlithgow Distillery recently released their new “LinGin Colours” range of gin products.
The collection includes four highly coloured bottles and four individual flavours – to be sipped individually or mixed and matched them to create 15 different flavour combinations.
The four primary flavours are: Yellow – Yuzu (garnish with pink grapefruit), Green – Lime (garnish with fresh lime), Pink – Raspberry (garnish with fresh raspberries) and Blue – Coconut (garnish with lime or pineapple if you want some tropical sunshine).
All four flavours are designed to be served over ice with a standard tonic and simple garnishes.
These gins all sit at 40% ABV and have been distilled at Linlithgow Distillery using the same base recipe.
A scaled down version of the LinGin recipe has been used (8 out of the 12 botanicals) and each colour then infused with the flavour of choice after distillation before being bottled by hand.
As with every product that is produced by the Linlithgow Distillery team, it is lovingly hand-crafted, bottled and labelled by hand.
For more information visit the Linlithgow Distillery website.
The Highland Liquor Company recently unveiled its new Seven Crofts ‘Fisherman’s Strength’ gin from its small distillery in the Northwest Highlands.
The second edition in its portfolio, this new navy strength bottling follows the award-winning Seven Crofts Gin, launched last year.
Bottled at 57% ABV, the small batch gin is hand distilled and has a flavour profile that’s juniper led with forest floor notes coming through and notes of ripe blueberry, cracked black pepper, pink pepper and touch of spicy coriander.
Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength uses a distinctive blend of traditional and signature botanicals including coriander, pink peppercorns, cubebs, cardamom, angelica and fresh lemon peel.
Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength Gin retails at £48 for 70cl bottle and is available to buy online here.
The Shetland Distillery Company has launched a new hawthorn gin, and it’s ideal for festive drinks.
Although the distillery doors may have been closed to visitors during summer, something special has been distilling at Saxa Vord Distillery on the island of Unst, Shetland.
The team behind Shetland Reel gin recognised the demand for seasonal creations and have been working behind the scenes during lockdown to create anew gin just in time for Christmas – Hawthorn Festive Gin.
Using local botanicals is key to the team at the Shetland Distillery Company, and for their new release they decided to showcase a hedgerow staple, the hawthorn berry.
The unique green leaves and vibrant red berries of hawthorn evoke festive feelings, and embody the essence of a truly special festive spirit.
The creation of this festive spirit has encouraged the team at the Shetland Distillery Company to go back to their origins, and only use nine botanicals.
The Shetland Reel hawthorn gin is now available to buy on the Shetland Reel website, priced at £29.50.
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The name pays tribute to the tremendous feelings of nostalgia so many hold for the island, especially those who spent family summers “doon the watter” in the 50s and 60s.
The main botanicals of lavender and brambles are meant to mimic the feelings of calm that islanders and visitors alike speak of regarding their eight minute ferry ride from the mainland to the island.
To find out more about the distillery and Nostalgin please visit the Isle of Cumbrae Distillers website.
Edinburgh Gin has recently announced the introduction of a new drink ahead of the festive season – poached pear gin liqueur.
The celebratory tipple has Edinburgh Gin Classic at its core and is bursting with natural flavours, including sweet pear, delicate red wine and warming festive spices, such as clove, cinnamon and nutmeg.
The deep burgundy liqueur can be served over ice, mixed with fizz or as a heated up as a warming drink.
Edinburgh Gin Poached Pear Gin Liqueur (ABV 20%, 50cl) is now available exclusively through John Lewis & Partners (online and in-store) and online at Edinburgh Gin with a RRP of £16.50.
Boë has recently launched a new Apple and Lime full strength gin, which is now available in Tesco stores throughout Scotland, select bars and across the UK online.
The flavours have been designed to suit a range of gin mixers – from lemonade, to soda or tonic.
Boë Apple and Lime blends notes of crisp green apple, and the spice of the Boë premium Scottish Dry Gin, with a kick of zesty lime to tie it all together.
The brand new flavour is now available to order across the UK via Boë’s online shop and in Tesco stores across Scotland.
The 70cl (ABV 41.5%) retails for £30.
Cocktail recipes for Boë Apple and Lime and the rest of the Boë Gin range can be checked out here.
The fruity addition to the City of Aberdeen Distillery range is made using Aberdeen-grown rhubarb.
The special recipe includes generous quantities of botanicals, which impart a long lasting sweet and warming flavour.
Commenting on the new gin Alan Milne, head distiller said: “This is Aberdeen’s first ever rhubarb gin, from Aberdeen’s first distillery in nearly 80 years – it deserved to be something special.
“It can’t get more special than using locally grown ingredients. It’s a true Aberdeen gin, a true Aberdeen rhubarb gin.”
The gin is described as being fruity, tart, warming and sweet, and joins the distillery’s range of new gins that include: Tuck Shop gin, Lemon Zingle gin and Fresh gin.
Samples of this new gin, and the full range, are available at the City of Aberdeen Distillery on Palmerston Road or online at the distillery website.
Back in March we reported that the star of Outlander was hinting at releasing a Scottish Forget Me Not gin, and now more details have been revealed.
Earlier this month, Caitriona who plays Sam Heughan’s on-screen love interest Claire, wrote on her social media: “Drinking to Remember…#SupportTheArts #ForgetMeNot #ScottishGin#” alongside a video of her enjoying a G&T in the sun with her cat, next to a bottle of what looks to be her Forget Me Not gin.
Now, the Irish actor has revealed more details of the gin in another post, saying: “It’s time to pour yourself a generous gin… I am excited to announce our website is now live for anyone wanting to register their interest in our first batch of Forget Me Not Gin.”
While the distillery that makes the gin is unknown, the gin is described as a ‘botanical gin distilled and lovingly handcrafted in the Highlands of Scotland.’
Botanicals include juniper, elderflower. coconut, beetroot, lavender and forget me not flowers – a nod to the significance that these blooms hold in the Outlander series.
Those keen to buy a first edition, signed bottle as soon as the gin becomes available in their country can register their interest via the gin’s website now.
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Launched on 12th June, the new Ben Lomond flavoured gins – Raspberry & Elderflower and Blackberry & Gooseberry – are the latest creations from the distillery following the success of its premium London Dry-style Gin, released last year.
The delicately balanced Raspberry & Elderflower Gin (38% ABV, £23.50) boasts natural berry essences, offering a sweet and floral flavour, backed by the unmistakable juniper flavour.
The combination of berries in the Blackberry & Gooseberry Gin (38% ABV, £23.50) pair well, offering a sweet yet zesty flavour; the succulent flavour of the blackberries is balanced with the sharp, tangy flavour of gooseberries.
The two distinct flavours are a nod to the unique flora, fauna and scenery of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park offer alternatives to a classic G&T.
They will also make a great base for fruity cocktails or can be enjoyed over ice.
Both gins (50cl) have an RRP of £23.50 and are exclusively available online from Ben Lomond Gin and the Loch Lomond Group.
Earlier this year, Aldi has partnered with Edinburgh-based The Old Curiosity Distillery to launch Eidyn gin – a new small-batch gin, which will be available from all 92 Aldi stores across Scotland.
The spirit is a premium gin but with a small price tag of £19.99 – (70cl, 40% ABV).
Eidyn (pronounced ee-din), named after the Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh, has been developed exclusively for Aldi by The Old Curiosity Distillery, which is located outside of the city below the Pentland Hills.
The distillery is part of the Secret Herb Garden and was developed by owners Hamish and Liberty Martin in 2017.
The distillery uses a base spirit, which is then blended with botanicals that are grown, picked and dried by hand, from their Secret Herb Garden, to create a range of gins – from colour changing to festive tipples and wild spirits.
Eidyn has been blended with lemon thyme and lemon balm botanicals which produce fresh citrus notes followed by a crisp juniper finish.
The eye-catching bottle features a striking turquoise and gold label, and is etched with key herbs and botanicals featured in the liquid.
Photo: The Gin Cooperative
The team behind Misty Isle Gin have launched a spookily spiced gin just in time for Halloween, as well as a Cill Targhlain Gin.
Complete with a spooky back story, the gin is inspired by ghosts that apparently haunt the island.
With notes of spiced pumpkin seeds, the new gin is available now and ideal for seasonal G&Ts or gin cocktails.
Featuring notes of “spicy pumpkin seeds and aromatic citrus with a hint of vanilla”, the gin has 20% off and is currently priced at £27.20 (normally £34) with free delivery on orders from their website.
Cill Targhlain Gin is the fifth expression from the distillery and is is a London Dry gin style, priced at £36 and available online here.
Scran episode 10: The community spirit behind Scotland's favourite gin - with Iona Cairns
