Illicit Spirits

Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
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The Illicit Spirits Distillery established in 2017 by distiller Darran Edmond, is a true urban craft distillery that uses traditional distillation methods to create modern spirits. The name Illicit Spirits is a nod to both the era of illicit distilleries and also the Illicit Spirits location – hidden in plain sight just like the speakeasies of old. You’ll find the distillery tucked away in a repurposed railway arch that was once used for illegal raves in the Tradeston area of Glasgow.

Using a traditional direct-fired copper pot still, and Darran’s background in distilling, meant he had a good idea of what botanicals his ideal gin recipe would include. The Illicit Spirits Distillery will be a testbed for a number of exciting craft spirit projects and collaborations.

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Illicit Gin

The first gin from the Illicit Spirits Distillery is a traditional London Dry Gin. With a juniper-led flavour profile that has a pine fresh taste, a hint of spice and citrus with a smooth, dry finish. Illicit Gin was created so it could be enjoyed as a sipping gin or with a mixer.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Clove, Cinnamon
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of orange peel, a cardamom pod, tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Illicit Spirits Distillery, Glasgow City, Scotland
Released: April 2018

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Illicit New Tom Gin

Before London dry, there was Old Tom, a sweeter Gin closer to the original Dutch Genever. Illicit Spirits have given the style a modern makeover by adding pink peppercorns, tonka beans, rosehips and nasturtium flowers, and then sweetening post distillation with Scottish blossom honey and bee pollen. The result is a sweet, smooth and fresh gin bursting with floral and citrus notes.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Pink Peppercorns, Nasturtium Flowers, Scottish Blossom Honey
Gin Style: Old Tom
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: Tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Illicit Spirits Distillery, Glasgow City, Scotland
Released: October 2018

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Illicit Blacklist Smoked Gin

A first for Scottish Gin, Illicit Blacklist Smoked Gin uses peat, which is traditionally used in some whisky production. The smoke from the peat was captured in the still before distilling the macerated botanicals through the smoke. To give a full flavour, peat smoke was then bubbled through the final distillate before activated charcoal was added to bond the flavours together. The gin’s base botanicals including juniper, coriander and angelica, were also smoked over the peat for eight hours. Other botanicals used in the distillation include black cardamom, black pepper, allspice, bitter orange and Lapsang Souchong tea to create a unique blend of citrus, juniper, spice and smoke.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Smoked Peat, Lapsang Souchong
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 47% vol
Goes great with: Tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Illicit Spirits Distillery, Glasgow City, Scotland
Released: October 2019

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Distillery

Illicit Spirits Distillery

Illicit Spirits Distillery is hidden away off a courtyard surrounded by railway arches and businesses of various guises. Once used for illegal raves in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, the site is now home to a legal distillery. Founded by Darran Edmond, the distillery is a true urban distillery producing gins and spirits inspired by both Glasgow and the history of distilling. 

Details

Tour: No
Shop: No
Booking: Not open to the public

Address

Unit 3, Bridge Court, 12 Cook Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G5 8JN - View on Google Maps
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