Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, consists of four venues in Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh. Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was established to help further medical advances and surgical excellence through research, education and training. With a history stretching back to 1505 when it was founded, the college has a global network of over 26,000 medical professionals.
On 1st of July 1505, the Barbers and Surgeons of Edinburgh were granted a Seal of Cause, allowing special privileges including permission to distill and produce aqua vitae, known today as ethanol. This high strength alcohol was used during surgical research and helped preserve anatomical parts. After 1612, the Barber Surgeons gave up the monopoly of distilling aqua vitae, which meant other distilleries sprung up in the area producing all manner of spirits and elixirs.
1505 Gin is distilled using a total of fifteen botanicals, five which were used in the original aqua vita recipe including hedge mustard, pink peppercorn, gillyflower, fennel and cumin. Distilled at neighbouring Summerhall Distillery, home to Pickering’s Gin, profits from the sale of the 1505 gin go back into training surgeons worldwide to improve patient outcomes. 1505 Gin is available to purchase exclusively from 1505 Cafe located within the Surgeons Quarter site.
Key Botanical(s): Hedge Mustard, Pink Peppercorn, Gillyflower
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 41% vol
Goes great with: A slice of grapefruit, tonic and ice.
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