Established in 2019, Creag Mhor Croft Distillery was set up by friends passionate about their local area, including brother and sister Christopher and Kayleigh MacBeth, who grew up there. The other duo in the business are mother and daughter Anne MacDonald and Sharon Pashley. Originally from down south, Anne moved to the area with her family over 20 years ago. They’ve been running their family croft ever since.
With a shared love of the area and inspired by their love of gin, the friends decided to establish a distillery and create a range of Scottish spirits that captured the area’s essence, releasing their first Scottish Gin in December 2019, Arisaig Gin. The distillery features a traditional handmade Portuguese copper alembic still affectionately named ‘Wee Effie’, after a much loved granny.
Arisaig Gin is distilled using a traditional Portuguese copper alembic still and is crafted with a number of locally foraged botanicals found on the hills and shore. Bladderwrack seaweed is one and is sourced from the silver sands beach, a famous spot in the movie Local Hero. They collect thistles from Craig Mhor Hill, rowan berries from local trees plus blackberries from around the distillery. The remainder of the botanicals are a well guarded secret. The result is a gin that’s crisp and fresh with a slight sweetness and a medium, warming finish.
Key Botanical(s): Bladderwrack, Thistles, Rowan Berries, Blackberries
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 45% vol
Goes great with: A slice of grapefruit, tonic and ice.
You can learn more about Arisaig Gin by clicking the links below.
