Founded in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary, Eden Mill revived the lost art of distilling in the area after over 150 years. Originally, Eden Mill was home to Scotland’s first single-site distillery and brewery, although they are now focussed on producing gin and whisky only. The original distillery was inside a former papermill, which inspired the brand name. The distillers used traditional Portuguese alembic pot stills to produce their unique spirits. As the brand and the business grew, it became clear that the existing site was neither big enough nor energy efficient. A new purpose-built distillery would be the best solution for the company to continue its growth and introduce greener and more sustainable distilling methods.
After a round of talks with potential investors in 2022, Inverleith LLP, a specialist investment company that invests in premium food and drink brands, bought a majority stake in Eden Mill. With this new investment, the Eden Mill team were able to commit to their new distillery build which is due to open its doors in 2024. The new distillery will offer visitors whisky and gin tour experiences and is based on the University of St Andrews Eden Campus. All electricity at the distillery will be 100% renewable, coming from either the solar farm belonging to the University of St Andrews or other renewable energy sources. Additionally, the CO2 produced during fermentation will be captured for further use by either the University, or other organisations.
Part of the Eden Mill Heritage Gin range of Scottish Gin expressions, Eden Mill Original Gin is a classic London Dry. Made from Fife’s sea buckthorn berries, a super food that grows within walking distance of the Eden Mill Distillery & Brewery. The unique tart berry flavour is abundant but they balance the gin around it using citrus elements drawn from the other botanicals, like lemon balm and citrus peel. Original Gin has a very clean and sweet taste.
Key Botanical(s): Sea Buckthorn Berries, Lemon Balm
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of grapefruit, tonic and ice.
Part of the Eden Mill Premium Gin range of Scottish Gin expressions, Love Gin is a sweet and floral gin expression, created to capture the magic of love and the classic love botanical - the rose. Combining local botanicals including rose and raspberry along with a number of international botanicals including Goji Berries, the result is the a gin that has notes of sweet vanilla, red berry and rich florals.
Key Botanical(s): Rose, Goji Berries, Raspberry
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: Frozen berries, elderflower tonic and ice.
Part of the Eden Mill Heritage Gin range of Scottish Gin expressions, Eden Mill Golf Gin is a botanically rich spirit that incorporates botanicals that can be spotted around local grassland and coastal golf courses in Scotland. Inspired by the ocean view of St Andrews Links, Eden Mill Golf Gin was created with seaweed base and fresh pine, two botanicals used that will transport the drinker to the windswept coastal fairways of Scotland’s golf courses. The addition of quintessentially Scottish heather adds a floral undertone to the gin.
Key Botanical(s): Seaweed, Lavender, Heather, Pine
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Goes great with: A handful of brambles, a sprig of mint, tonic and ice.
Part of the Eden Mill Distillers Choice series of Scottish Gin expressions, Red Wine Cask Aged Gin is a limited edition batch of only 600 bottles. The signature Eden Mill Original Gin has been rested for 15 months in an Italian Red Amarone cask. The red wine cask was selected by senior distiller Andrew Walker. Created as a partner gin to the White Wine Cask Aged Gin, with both gins created to be tasted side by side to show the influence of the cask ageing process. The red wine cask imbues some aromatic flavours of red berries with notes of vanilla and cassia spice. On the nose, red berry fruity aromas and on the palate, hints of raspberries and cassia with a light, sweet vanilla and oak character on the finish.
Key Botanical(s): Lemon Balm, Citrus Peel
Gin Style: Cask Aged
Strength: 42.5% vol
Goes great with: A few raspberries, tonic and ice.
Part of the Eden Mill Distillers Choice series of Scottish Gin expressions, White Wine Cask Aged Gin is a limited edition batch of only 600 bottles. The signature Eden Mill Original Gin has been rested for 15 months in a French White Burgundy Cask. The white wine cask was selected by head distiller Scott Ferguson. Created as a partner gin to the Red Wine Cask Aged Gin, with both gins created to be tasted side by side to show the influence of the cask ageing process. The white wine cask complements the flavours of the citrus gins, adding tropical peach and apricot flavours to the gin. On the nose, fruity aromas and on the palate, tropical and stone fruit, reminiscent of lychee and apricot with zesty, fruity and aromatic notes on the finish.
Key Botanical(s): Lemon Balm, Citrus Peel
Gin Style: Cask Aged
Strength: 42.5% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of lime, tonic and ice.
The new Eden Mill Distillery construction is underway and will finish in 2024. The new distillery will be the brand home for Eden Mill, and will also be their site for all whisky and gin distillation. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views over the estuary and the iconic St Andrews skyline thanks to the panoramic glass feature windows installed at the front of the building. The top floor will feature a bar area where visitors can sample and enjoy various drinks and cocktails.
Tours will be available for both gin and whisky, showcasing the different production areas and methods. The ground floor will have a café open to the public and provide a space for visitors to enjoy coffee, tea, sandwiches and home baked goods. A well-provisioned retail space will also be on the ground floor, where Eden Mill gins and whiskies will be available to purchase alongside a range of other local goods.
While the distillery is under construction, Eden Mill invites people to drop in past The Bothy. Located just next to the new distillery, it is a cosy space where a couple of their team members are based and it has the full range of whisky and gin available to purchase. Eden Mill also has their shop on Market Street in St Andrews.
Tour: No
Gin School: No
Cafe: No
Bar: No
Shop: Yes
Booking: An online booking system will open on Eden Mill’s website closer to the distillery opening.
Learn more about Eden Mill by visiting the links below.
