Cheers to gin school’s first-class graduates
A new Kintyre gin school has raised a glass to its first graduates.
Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, home of Kintyre Gin, has used its time in lockdown to expand and grow, opening its own gin school – Kintyre’s first – on Monday following a relaxation in Covid-19 rules.
Located on Torrisdale Castle Estate, the gin school was created in response to the high number of visitors to the distillery since it opened in 2016, the increased demand for tours and the volume of tourists expected in the region following the recent launch of the Kintyre 66 route.
Unlike other gin schools, the Kintyre Gin School has a personalised blending approach that differs from the usual distilling process, providing visitors with their own gin created to suit their own palette. The school can take up to 12 people per class – Covid-19 restrictions permitting – with a three-and-a-half-hour tutorial, offering a fun experience whilst teaching people how to make their bespoke bottle of gin and learn about the history of the spirit.
Guests have the opportunity to try a perfect serve of their own gin and make a cocktail, before receiving a Kintyre Gin School graduation certificate.
Beinn An Tuirc Distillers director Emma Macalister Hall said: ‘We are extremely excited to launch the Kintyre Gin School and share our love of gin to everyone.
‘It has been a difficult year for local businesses, but we have worked hard in the background to build the school from scratch, and it’s rewarding to see it all come together. For us, as a rural business in a remote part of Scotland, we are nothing without our people and our mission has always been to champion the community and create secure employment and career opportunities.
‘We have expanded our workforce significantly since beginning production and with further expansions on the horizon, the number will certainly grow.
‘We’re offering an unforgettable experience for gin fans to create a delicious spirit, as well as seeing behind-the-scenes of the sustainable production process that makes our gin so great and we’re thrilled to open in time for restrictions easing.’