FIVE OF THE BEST SCOTTISH GINS
Thanks to its established whisky heritage and an abundance of native botanicals, Scotland’s gin scene is dynamic and varied. From city distilleries to bottlings from the Highlands and islands, there is plenty for gin lovers to explore.
Eight Lands Organic 1
Speyside Gin
£35-£42.50/70cl Amathus Drinks, Berry Bros & Rudd, Eight Lands, Gerry’s, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Milroy’s, The Gin Cooperative, The Good Spirits Co, The Whisky Exchange
Glenrinnes Distillery sits at the foot of Ben Rinnes mountain, and the name Eight Lands comes from the eight counties that can be seen from the top of the mountain on a clear day. The distillery is part of a familyrun estate, where cattle, sheep and deer are raised organically. This is a classic London Dry, distilled using 11 botanicals including cowberries and sorrel. Packed with fresh pine, plus sweet red berries, fresh lemon citrus and a spicy finish, with notes of black tea. It makes a mean Martini. Alcohol 46%
2 Height of Arrows Original Gin
£28.95-£35/70cl Hard to Find Whisky, Hedonism, Royal Mile Whiskies, The Whisky
Exchange, The Whisky Shop, The Whisky World, Tyndrum Whisky, WoodWinters
This beautifully rounded Martini gin is made by Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh. Inspired by the simplicity of whisky production, juniper is the focus here. Isle of Skye sea salt is added after distillation to amplify the flavour, along with natural beeswax for texture. Very creamy and smooth, with distinctively bright juniper aromas, it makes a superlative Gibson Martini. Alc 43%
3 Lind & Lime Gin
£34.60-£38/70cl Amathus Drinks, Ellie’s Cellar, House of Malt, John Lewis, Master of Malt, Royal Mile Whiskies, Spirits Kiosk, The Good Spirits Co, The Leith Export Co, The Whisky Exchange
Made at the Coburg Street Stillhouse in Edinburgh’s historic distilling district of Leith, this gin comes in a beautiful bottle – but it’s more than a pretty face. The name celebrates the work of Edinburgh doctor James Lind, who in the 18th century discovered that citrus fruit helps prevent scurvy. No surprises that lime is one of the key botanicals here, along with pink peppercorns. The result is a London Dry style that’s perfect for G&Ts, with citrus freshness and distinctive spiciness. Alc 44%
4 Rock Rose Original Edition
£27.95-£35/70cl Amazon UK, Davy’s, Distillers Direct, Dunnet Bay Distillers, Ellon Whisky Shop, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, Whisky Fix
Made by Claire and Martin Murray of Dunnet Bay Distillers in Caithness, this gin features Rhodiola rosea (rock rose) foraged from the cliffs of Pentland Firth. Highly regarded by the Vikings for its strengthgiving properties, rock rose lends a floral character to the nose and palate here. Lovely vanilla creaminess is balanced by peachy fruit, fresh herbaceousness and plenty of juniper character. The ceramic bottle looks great, too. Alc 41.5%
Tobermory Isle of Mull
5
Hebridean Mountain Gin
£31-£38/70cl Amazon UK, Berry Bros & Rudd, Hard to Find Whisky, House of Malt, Latitude Wine, Loch Fyne Whiskies, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky World, Tobermory Distillery, Tyndrum Whisky
The historic Tobermory Distillery can be found on the Isle of Mull, one of the Hebridean islands off Scotland’s west coast. Founded in 1798, the distillery was mothballed in the 1930s but reopened in 1993. Today it produces Tobermory and Ledaig single malts as well as a range of three gins. Botanicals in this gin include rowanberries, rosehip and wild heather, giving pretty floral aromas, underpinned by plenty of clean piney juniper. It has green chilli notes and a long, crisp, ozone-fresh finish. Alc 43.3% D