GIN CHALLENGE

We reveal Scotland's top tipples from our annual SF Gin Challenge, as voted by our panel of expert judges

Despite the usual doom and gloom surrounding the flourishing gin industry, and continual warnings of market saturation and bursting bubbles, Scottish gin continues to show incredible resilience while bouncing back from a pandemicinduced slowdown that not even the most savvy naysayer could have predicted. And here at Scottish Field we’re absolutely effervescent with excitement to bring you our 2021 Gin Challenge.

This year’s challenge brings back some old favourites and introduces a raft of new gins to suit every taste. From traditional London Dry gin for the perfect G&T, to a plethora of flavours just crying out for a cocktail shaker, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

As usual we’ve pulled together a panel of expert judges to guide you through all of the entrants and pick out their absolute favourites. Blind tasting 48 gins is no mean feat, as you might imagine, so it was important to find some true gin aficionados who were up to the challenge. We’re very grateful to our six lovely judges who have put their refined palates to the test to bring us these handy tasting notes and score each and every gin.

So, all that’s left is to pour yourself a glass of your own personal favourite and I’m sure you’ll join us in raising that glass to Scottish gin and wishing the industry many, many more successful years. And if we haven’t included your favourite tipple in this year’s challenge, or you’ve discovered the perfect, artisan distillery that is producing something really special then we’d love to hear from you. Tell us all about your perfect gin and where you drank it. You can email the Scottish Field Gin Challenge Team at editor@scottishfield.co.uk.

Slàinte

Scottish Field Gin Challenge Team