Launched in 2019, South Loch Gin is the brainchild of James Sutherland, owner and founder of 56 North. 56 North was one of the UK’s first dedicated gin bars, opening its doors back in 2008 before the popularity of gin really took off. With over two decades in the on-trade and a big supporter of the gin category, James and his team have helped nurture, educate and inspire others to try the many brilliant brands and gins on the market.
With an unbounded love for gin, James, together with distiller Lindsey, spent late nights and early mornings running various distillations tests through the bar’s very own distillery equipment before creating the final recipes for the initial core gin expressions, which officially launched in the summer of 2019. The name South Loch comes from The Meadows, one of Edinburgh’s famous parks, which was originally named South Loch before changing it name to The Meadows in 1621. The park was once a source of water for Edinburgh’s inhabitants including its many distilleries and breweries.
Distilled using a variety of classic gin botanicals including juniper, this Old Tom style of gin is slightly sweet thanks to the addition of Scottish blackberries and raspberries. A sweeter, fresh berry fruit profile makes for a refreshing but well balanced Old Tom Gin that works well both in a gin and tonic or sipped neat over ice.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Blackberries, Raspberries
Gin Style: Flavoured, Old Tom
Strength: 41.4% vol
Goes great with: A handful of raspberries, tonic and ice.
Distilled using a variety of classic gin botanicals including juniper, this gin delivers fresh citrus on the taste and bright citrus notes on the nose. With juniper at the fore, the gin blends into tangy citrus before creating a lingering, fresh finish.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Lime Flower
Gin Style: Flavoured
Strength: 42.1% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of lime, tonic and ice.
South Loch Spiced Cranberry & Clementine Gin uses a dry juniper base layered with warming spice, slightly tart cranberries and fresh, bright clementine along with juniper, cinnamon, pink peppercorn and ginger. The result is an aromatic spiced fruit gin that still features juniper but is well balanced with fruit notes on the start and a rich, Christmas pudding like warmth of spices on the finish.
Key Botanical(s): Cranberries, Clementines
Gin Style: Flavoured
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of orange, tonic and ice.
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