Moray Distillery was established in 2016 by Jill Brown in the heart of the old Cathedral city of Elgin. Elgin is located in the world famous Speyside, known for its history and tradition of producing whisky. With its rich links to distilling and Jill’s love of spirits and food, thanks in part to her background and degree in agriculture from Scotland’s Rural College in Aberdeen, Jill knew she wanted to be part of Scotland’s growing drinks sector by creating a business that was built on passion, craft, family and celebrating Elgin and the surrounding landscape.
Originally Jill created a range of fruit inspired liqueurs before developing her Avva range of Scottish Gins. The star of the distillery is the bespoke still, which was commissioned by Jill and manufactured by local copper work specialists Speyside Copper Works. Jill named the still Jessie Jean after her two grandmothers.
Avva means a respected grandmother, a respected mother, or an old or respectable woman in the Indian language of Dravidian. In Hebrew it means to overturn or ruin, which links the reputation gin had as ‘Mother’s Ruin’ from the Hogarth era. Avva Scottish Gin is an exclusive combination of 11 local, native and traditional botanicals, including 5 which are locally sourced - rowan, red clover, mint, dandelion and nettle.
Key Botanical(s): Red Clover, Dandelion, Nettle
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: A slice of lime or red apple, tonic and ice.
Despite the higher ABV%, this gin provides a creamier mouthfeel that the original. The same principals of slow distillation apply, to ensure the maximum release of oils from the botanical vapour basket. The gin itself is bursting with juniper notes, complemented by the flavouring of the locally foraged botanicals and sweet citrus.
Key Botanical(s): Red Clover, Dandelion, Nettle
Gin Style: Navy Strength
Strength: 57.2% vol
Goes great with: A slice of orange, tonic and ice.
Officially launched at the 2019 Royal Highland Show, Avva Pink Scottish Gin was in development for over 6 months. Perfecting the recipe and ensuring the right combination of fruit, picked locally from Wester Hardmuir fruit farm in Nairn, took time and patience. A proper gin at 40% ABV, it can be served neat over ice, paired with Rose Lemonade or Rhubarb Tonic or topped up with Prosecco for a sparkling gin cocktail.
Key Botanical(s): Summer Fruits, Red Clover, Dandelion, Nettle
Gin Style: Flavoured
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: Rose Lemonade and ice.
Using Avva Scottish Gin as the base, a special twelfth botanical has been used in the production process - butterfly pea. The addition of this delicate flower not only gives a slightly floral tasting note but it also means that when tonic water is added to the gin, thanks to the natural PH levels of the butterfly pea, the gin turns from a deep blue to a shade of pink.
Key Botanical(s): Butterfly Pea, Rowanberries, Red Clover
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of citrus fruit, tonic and ice.
Avva Cask Finish Scottish Gin was the first cask aged gin to be made on Speyside, the home and heartland of Scotch Malt Whisky. The first cask release in 2017 involved founder distiller Jill Brown spending 8 months creating the limited edition bottling. Matured in a bourbon barrel sourced from the renowned Speyside Cooperage, 6 months passed by before the marriage of favours and finish was just right. The gin has since become an annual release for the distillery, always limited to a maximum of 200 bottles.
Key Botanical(s): Red Clover, Dandelion, Nettle
Gin Style: Cask Aged
Strength: 55% vol
Goes great with: A slice of orange, ginger ale and ice.
A rare and limited edition of only 50 bottles, Avva The Forgotten Cask Gin was aged for over 30 months in a Heaven Hill Bourbon Cask. The cask was originally filled with the signature Avva Scottish Gin in February 2019, with most of the cask decanted in September 2019 to make the annual signature Avva Cask Aged Gin. Due to the upheaval of renovation work at the distillery and the emergence of the global pandemic in early 2020, the remaining gin in the cask was forgotten. It was only in June 2021, when the cask was rediscovered, that the team at Avva noticed there was still gin inside. The result is a happy accident with a deep, rich amber hue and tasting notes of vanilla, honey, caramel, warming spice and some earthy juniper.
Key Botanical(s): Red Clover, Dandelion, Nettle
Gin Style: Cask Aged
Strength: 65% vol
Goes great with: Orange twist, neat over ice.
Located in the former Cathedral city of Elgin, Moray Distillery, home to the range of Avva Scottish Gin expressions, features a custom Copper Pot Still; the first of its kind designed by the local team at Speyside Copper Works with the input of Avva founder and distiller Jill Brown. The distillery also provides tasting events where guests can sample the range of Avva Scottish Gin expressions and learn more about the business and area.
Tour: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: Book a tour and tasting here
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