Shedloads of gin lovers heading for distillery after it wins TV award
A CONVERTED hen Commission and house has become one of PlantLife.org to revive the top gin joints in the UK juniper production in after it won Shed of the Scotland. Year. Mr Engels said: “It’s the
Crossbill Highland only gin that’s 100 per cent Distilling in Inshriach Scottish juniper and we forest in the Cairngorms can use the juniper fresh National Park fought off because we can get it from strong competition from the forest to the still in less 2,519 other sheds to take than five minutes. the coveted title. “When the Dutch
The distillery, which invented Jenever, the creates gin from 100 per precursor to gin, they used cent Scottish juniper, was to import all of the juniper nominated in and won the from the north and north pub category of the “The judges couldn’t ity and some basic DIY east of Scotland. Now it’s contest. The top four sheds make a decision so they skills.” usually supplied by Italy or in each section appeared went back to the public Mr Engels, previously Macedonia so I thought it on Channel 4’s Amazing vote and we had the most an architect, and Mr Mickwould be a good idea to try Spaces Shed of the Year so it’s really down to the lethwait spent two years and re-establish the Scotbefore the winner was people that voted for us. and £600 converting the tish supply.” announced. It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s chicken shed into a The distillery, which is
This year’s winner was the best way to win.” distillery and chose its on a private estate, has decided by the show’s Walter Micklethwait, location because of the been inundated with visipublic vote after judges who owns the Inshriach abundance of juniper. tor requests following its were divided over who estate, added: “We hope The shed, which was appearance on Shed of the should take the title. the recognition by Shed of created using bits of old Year.
Jonathan Engels, the Year inspires others railway station and local It will now host a gin founder of Crossbill, said: with a similar passion and materials, includes a bar shed festival on August 15 “It’s amazing, we did not drive. This award demonmade from upcycled parts to let people visit and celeexpect to win at all. We strates that great things of an old chapel, a drinkbrate its Shed of the Year win.entereditasabitoffun.cancomeoutofsmallingparlourandashop. M We thought we’d win our spaces. The distillery began r Engels said: “We section but we didn’t think “All that is needed is a production in 2013 and is must have had a hundred we’d win the whole thing. good idea, a lot of creativ- working with the Forestry requests to visit.”