The Royal Balmoral Estate has been the official Scottish holiday home to the British Royal family since 1852. Queen Victoria’s physician, Sir James Clark, recommended that Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, visit Deeside for its healthier climate after spending a few rain-soaked weeks on a previous visit to Scotland. Within a few days of arriving at the castle and experiencing the area’s natural, unspoilt beauty, Victoria and Albert fell in love with the estate and surrounding area. Upon their return to London, Prince Albert offered to buy the estate from the Farquharson family, and it has been the official Scottish holiday home to the Royal family ever since.
One of Queen Victoria’s favourite spots on the estate was the Ballochbuie Caledonian forest, which includes the Falls of Garbh Allt, a bolder-strewn, steep series of waterfalls where Queen Victoria would often visit to draw and paint the views. The Royal Balmoral Estate encompasses rivers, moorland, craggy cliffs, mountains and Munros. It is home to many species of animals and plants, including Scottish Wildcats, Golden Eagles, Red Deer, Scottish juniper and more. Along with the castle, gift shop and cafe, visitors can enjoy several castle and estate tours and holiday cottages available to rent, providing ample opportunities to create memorable Balmoral experiences.
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
Learn more about the Royal Balmoral Estate by clicking the links below.
