The Royal Balmoral Estate has been the official Scottish holiday home to the British Royal family since 1852 when Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria purchased the estate from the Farquharson family. It was in fact Queen Victoria’s physician Sir James Clark who recommended the couple should visit Deeside for its healthier climate after the couple had spent a few rain soaked weeks on a previous visit to Scotland.
One of Queen Victoria’s favourite spots on the estate was the Ballochbuie Caledonian forest, which includes the The Falls of Garbh Allt, a bolder strewn steep series of water falls where Queen Victoria would often visit to draw and paint the views. With its scenic and tranquil landscape, the Balmoral Estate encompasses rivers, moorland, craggy cliffs, mountains and Munros, along with the castle, gift shop and cafe. There’s also a variety of castle and estate tours along with holiday cottages available to rent so you can create your own Balmoral memories.
Ballochbuie Gin recipe was created by the team at Balmoral Castle and The Teasmith Spirit Company, and is distilled using a number of estate foraged botanicals including Royal Deeside Juniper, Douglas Fir needles from the ancient Caledonian forest of Ballochbuie and Deeside heather honey. Combined with eight other carefully selected botanicals, the result is a classic dry gin with bright, fresh piney juniper and notes of citrus, lemongrass, honey and berries on the nose with juniper and citrus on the palate. A true taste of Balmoral Estate distilled with care and time to create a very special edition gin.
Key Botanical(s): Royal Deeside Juniper, Ballochbuie Scots Pine, Deeside Heather Honey
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of pink grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary
You can learn more about the maker by clicking the links below.
