8 new gins to try this International Scottish Gin Day 2021

Many Scottish distilleries have released new gins.

Published 1st Oct 2021
Updated 21 st Sep 2023

The boom in Scottish gin doesn't appear to be abating, with many new gins and flavours being launched.

Here we take a look at a selection of new gins to try this International Scottish Gin Day, which falls on 2 October.

The Machrie Gin

Stylish Islay hotel, The Machrie, recently launched its first premium own-label Scottish gin The Machrie Gin in partnership with Isle of Islay Gin.

The artisan gin has been crafted using a mix of botanicals including sorrel foraged directly from The Machrie’s world-renowned dunes to create a refreshing flavour.

The zesty spirit pairs well with elderflower tonic and a squeeze of pink grapefruit.

Guests of the hotel can purchase a bottle of The Machrie Gin to take home, retailing at £39.50 for a bottle.

Boe Gin

This well loved gin brand has recently released a range of new flavours.

Boë Rasberry and Sweet Basil and Boë Bramble are available this month and will appeal to those who love a punchy flavoured gin.

Joining the existing range of seven expressions, the two new flavours highlight the distinct taste of berries, whilst showcasing new flavour combinations with ingredients found in Scottish gardens.

Inspired by the evolution of cocktails using herbs to create flavour combinations and tasty drinks, Boë Raspberry & Sweet Basil Gin has flavours of ripe raspberries, balanced with the aromatic peppery notes of sweet basil.

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Paired perfectly with tonic or lemonade over ice, topped with Prosecco, or incorporated in a longer cocktail serve, the Boë Raspberry & Sweet Basil Gin highlights sweet summery flavours.

Following the success of Boë’s award-winning Scottish Bramble Gin Liqueur (20% ABV) and requests from gin lovers across the country, Boë Bramble Gin has been created.

A full-strength gin at 41.5% ABV full of the much-loved blackberry flavour, Boë Bramble Gin has been created with rich, dark berries and junipers, and features lightly spiced notes, creating a distinct aroma.

Enjoy with ginger ale or simply over ice with soda or lemonade.

Boë Raspberry Sweet Basil, 41.5% ABV, is priced at £28.99 and can be purchased online.

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Boë Bramble, 41.5% ABV, is priced at £28.99 and can be purchased online.

Find out more at Boe's website.

Height of Arrows gin

The team at Edinburgh's Holyrood distillery have launched a new gin.

Inspired by its position in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, the new gin that is rooted in the whisky making process.

Launching this month, Height Of Arrows is a gin that has been created with whisky in mind.

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Drawing on the idea that whisky’s myriad of flavours rely on just three ingredients, Height Of Arrows doesn't have numerous botanicals, with just juniper being showcased.

Height of Arrows is priced at £34.95 and available at Royal Mile Whiskies.

Inverclyde Port Strength gin

This coastal gin was created as a tribute to Inverclyde - to showcase the area's rich nautical history.

A limited edition, Inverclyde Gin - Port Strength Gin is inspired by the strong people, shipbuilding and naval heritage of Inverclyde.

It also has an interesting brand story - located at Latitude 55.9°N, Inverclyde’s town of Port Glasgow played a pivotal role in Inverclyde’s naval past.

The team wanted to reflect the town, their home, and thus have perfected Port Strength Gin of 55.9% ABV.

The gin is priced at £38.99 and available here.

The Gin Bothy smoked gin

Scottish gin brand, The Gin Bothy, recently launched a new smoked gin, with botanicals that are smoked in a fisher smoke house in Arbroath.

250 bottles of this first edition smoked gin have been produced, and the team say this is the only smoked gin made in a protected designation of origin area, using a Smokie ‘bothy’,

Alex Spink and Sons have been making smokies in Arbroath since 1977.

They worked with Gin Bothy Founder, Kim Cameron applying their traditional smoking techniques to juniper, orange peel, coriander and lemon which were then distilled, creating the Gin Bothy’s first smoked gin.

Full strength, rich in flavour, Gin Bothy Smoked Gin is 100 per cent natural and sugar free and is classed as a London dry smoked gin, with a burnt orange deep citrus forward with the smokiness following.

Served with a light tonic and a slice of orange it is the perfect companion to Scottish smoked salmon and smoked game charcuterie.

Gin Bothy Smoked Gin is priced at £35 is available from the Gin Bothy website and the Bothy larder shop in Glamis.

Pickering's Pumpkin Spice Latte gin

Edinburgh based distillers, Summerhall Distillery, announced the launch of the new Pumpkin Spice Latte gin flavour as an addition to their handcrafted Pickering’s Gin range.

Distilled at Summerhall Distillery, Pickering’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Gin is based on the original recipe for Pickering’s 1947 Gin.

The gin is described as a classic London dry with a warm and spicy kick.

The PSL gin is priced at £10 for 20cl and can be bought online at the Pickering's website.

Red Door gin with autumn botanicals

Red Door Highland Gin has released a limited-edition bottling infused with autumn botanicals just in time for the changing of the seasons. 

Available online now, Red Door Highland Gin with Autumn Botanicals is inspired by autumnal walks through blankets of leaves in Scottish woodlands, along hedgerows laden with blackberries.

The autumn edition blends the mellow fruitfulness of not only the Scottish blackberry, but also its leaves, alongside fragrant pine needles and ripe sea buckthorn.

Handcrafted in Forres, only 6,000 bottles of Red Door Highland Gin with Autumn Botanicals (£29.99/70cl, 45% ABV) will be released for sale.

The limited-edition gin has been expertly crafted in the copper pot still, affectionately named Peggy.

Foghouse Gin

Inspired by Mediterranean flavours, the handcrafted gin combines nine botanicals including wormwood, which is prized for its distinctive aroma.

Taking inspiration from classic recipes and carefully considered ingredients, the gin delivers notes of rosemary and olive balanced with coriander and cubeb spice.

The company’s name derives from Foghouses found across many of Scotland’s estates.

Gin fans who want to find out more about the new gin can purchase a tasting set on the Foghouse website where a limited number of samples are being released.

Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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