Scotland, renowned for its whisky heritage, has experienced a gin renaissance in recent years. Distilleries across the nation are crafting exceptional gins that reflect Scotland’s diverse landscapes and rich botanical resources.
The Botanist: A Forager’s Gin from Islay
Produced by the Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay, The Botanist is a distinctive dry gin introduced in 2011. It features 31 botanicals, including 22 hand-foraged from Islay itself, such as prostrate juniper, apple mint, and gorse flowers. This complex blend offers a floral and herbal character, embodying the island’s natural beauty.
Hendrick’s Gin: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
Launched in 1999 by William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s Gin stands out with its infusion of Bulgarian rose and cucumber, alongside traditional juniper. Master Distiller Lesley Gracie crafted this unique flavor profile, which has garnered global acclaim. Presented in an apothecary-style bottle, Hendrick’s suggests serving their gin with tonic water over ice, garnished with cucumber to enhance its refreshing notes.
GlenWyvis Distillery: Community-Owned and Sustainable
Located in Dingwall, GlenWyvis Distillery is a community-owned venture powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including hydro, wind, solar, and biomass heating. Founded in 2015, it represents a return of distilling to the area after nearly a century. GlenWyvis produces both whisky and gin, with their GoodWill Gin receiving accolades for its quality.
Arbikie Distillery: Field-to-Bottle Philosophy
Arbikie Distillery, established in 2013 on a 2,000-acre family-owned farm in Inverkeilor, practices a field-to-bottle approach. Scottish gin They utilize estate-grown barley and potatoes in their spirits. Their ‘Kirsty’s Gin’ incorporates botanicals like seaweed, carline thistle, and blaeberry, reflecting Scotland’s coastal environment. Arbikie also produced Scotland’s first commercial potato vodka and a climate-positive gin made from peas.
Saxa Vord Distillery: Crafting Spirits in the Shetland Isles
Situated on the Isle of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Saxa Vord Distillery is the UK’s most northerly distillery. Established in 2015, it produces Shetland Reel Gin, incorporating locally sourced botanicals like apple mint. The distillery has also experimented with cask-aged gins and limited-edition releases, showcasing innovation within traditional practices.
Recent Developments in Scottish Gin
The Scottish gin industry continues to evolve with exciting developments:
Cromlix Gin by Sir Andy Murray: Tennis champion Sir Andy Murray and his wife Kim have launched Cromlix Gin, featuring botanicals sourced from their luxury hotel, Cromlix, near Dunblane. This gin reflects the hotel’s serene environment, offering a clean, light flavor with a dry, woody finish.
Isle of Harris Distillery’s Global Recognition: The Isle of Harris Distillery gained international attention when its gin and inaugural single malt whisky, The Hearach, were included in the Golden Globes’ £1 million goody bags. This exposure has heightened interest in the distillery’s maritime-flavored gin, which embodies the island’s unique character.
New Distillery on Loch Lomond: Plans have been approved for a new whisky distillery and visitor center on the banks of Loch Lomond in Luss. The facility will offer Loch Lomond whisky and gin products, aiming to boost tourism and create jobs, thereby supporting the local community and showcasing the area’s heritage and beauty.
Scotland’s gin landscape is vibrant and diverse, with distilleries blending traditional methods and innovative approaches to create unique spirits that capture the essence of their surroundings.