Another round: Gin Fest to be ‘bigger and better’

Scotland’s biggest gin festival will return to Dundee for the second time next month to coincide with World Gin Day.

The Gin Fest, which pulled in more than 600 people last year, will be held at the Bonar Hall on June 9.

Organiser Carrie Shannon said: “It’s not just your basic gin and tonic any more. There are loads of different flavours so people who don’t think they like gin will find there is one they enjoy.

“There will be 16 brands in total and each brand will have anything from one to 10 different gins to offer.

“Last year’s event in Dundee was a success so we hope that on the back of that, people will tell their friends about it and we will have an even bigger and better event.

“We have expanded the area in the building that we are using so hopefully the numbers will also increase.

“We’re expecting around 800 people this year and we’re also in talks with various pubs in the city to see if we could have pop-up bars.

“Hopefully we will also be able to offer food from Dundee producers.”

Some of the Scottish gins featured at the festival include Darnley’s from Kingsbarns, The Gin Bothy from Kirriemuir and Boe Gin from Stirling.

Although once branded “mother’s ruin”, a recent resurgence in gin’s popularity has seen dozens of new brands spring up around the UK.

Scotland’s links to gin go back centuries with many crediting Edinburgh-born George Cleghorn with creating the first gin and tonic after discovering quinine could cure malaria. The quinine was drunk in tonic water with gin to make it more palatable.

More than 70% of the UK’s gin is now produced in Scotland.

Meanwhile, a beer and cider event, Dundee Brew Fest, will be held at the Queen’s Hotel tomorrow from 5pm.

Cheers! The Gin Fest will take place on June 9.