Darnley's Gin

Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland
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The Darnley’s Gin story began when brother and sister William and Isabella Wemyss noticed several new gins appearing on the shelves of their favourite bars, restaurants and shops. With their backgrounds in the world of whisky and wine, it was clear to William and Isabella that something special was happening in the world of gin. Premium brands appeared and looked great, but they also had fascinating and engaging stories to tell. With each new gin tried, William and Isabella discovered that the flavours in gin were extremely diverse thanks to an almost endless array of botanicals carefully distilled to create an exciting flavour journey for the drinker.

In 2010 the Darnley’s Gin range was launched, initially produced in London. Still, in the long term, William and Isabella planned to bring the distillation back to Fife, where the family connection to the area goes back over 500 years. Production was transferred in 2017 to the Darnley’s Gin Cottage, next to the Kingsbarns whisky distillery in the village of Kingsbarns, Fife.

Each Darnley’s Gin core expression showcases the intricate and marvellous world of botanicals, with a variety grown on-site at the distillery. Several limited edition Darnley’s Gins that use locally foraged botanicals have also been released as part of the Cottage Series, celebrating the local landscape. The Darnley’s Gin Cottage is home to the distillery and visitor’s experiences, including the Darnley’s Gin School.

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Original Gin

Darnley’s Original is distilled from 6 botanicals including juniper, elderflower, coriander and lemon peel. Bottled at 40% ABV, this London Dry Gin has a long and dry finish, which makes for a refreshing G&T.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Elderflower, Coriander
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A squeeze of lemon juice, tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: August 2017

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Spiced Gin

Darnley’s Spiced is distilled from 10 botanicals including juniper, cloves, grains of paradise and ginger. Bottled at 42.7% ABV, this contemporary gin has a lingering peppery finish and is best served with ginger ale as an alternative to tonic.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Cloves, Ginger, Cinnamon
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42.7% vol
Goes great with: Ginger ale and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: August 2017

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Spiced Navy Strength Gin

This Navy Strength (ABV 57.1%) edition of Darnley’s Spiced Gin was inspired by the illustrious Royal Navy career of the family ancestor Sir Rosslyn Wemyss who commanded ships around the world and rose to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. His ships’ officers enjoyed a daily ration of gin that had to pass a gunpowder test to prove it was over 57% alcohol and therefore Navy Strength. It retains the warming spice flavours of the Spiced Gin but with more juniper.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Cloves, Ginger, Cinnamon
Gin Style: Navy Strength
Strength: 57.1% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of pink grapefruit, tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: August 2017

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Aromata Gin

Aromata is a special release from the team at Darnley’s Gin and has been created from a distinctive combination of eleven botanicals. Distiller Scott Gowans wanted to create a bright, spicy and aromatic gin and ultimately chose from a selection of home-grown and south-east Asian botanicals; lemon grass and ginger give bright zesty citrus notes, underlined by earthy-sweet galangal and turmeric, finishing with a tingle from star anise and home-grown fennel seeds.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Lemon Grass, Ginger, Galangal, Turmeric, Star Anise, Fennel
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of grapefruit, tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: March 2022

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Coastal Haar Gin

The fourth limited edition release as part of the Darnley’s Cottage Series, Coastal Haar Gin combines nine botanicals, which include a mix of locally grown botanicals and locally foraged botanicals. The foraged botanicals have been carefully selected from along the east coast of Scotland to create a flavour profile that expresses the flavours and smells of the East Neuk of Fife coastline; sea buckthorn, sugar kelp and marigold petals are balanced with salty pine, tropical mango and pineapple to create a fresh coastal gin. Additional traditional botanicals include juniper, coriander seed, angelica, orris root, lemon balm and orange peel.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Sea Buckthorn, Sugar Kelp, Marigold Petals
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of orange, tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: July 2022

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Wild Citrus Gin

The third limited edition release as part of the Darnley’s Cottage Series, Wild Citrus Gin uses foraged sorrel and garden-grown lemon balm, herbaceous plants native to the Kingdom of Fife, that provide wild citrus and herbaceous, green flavours. These two botanicals were carefully selected by head gin distiller Scott Gowans, along with apples from East Neuk Orchards and a subtle amount of lavender, some of which is grown on-site at the gin cottage, which adds a light floral note. Other botanicals include juniper, coriander seed, angelica root and orris root. On the nose, fresh green apple peel, lemon zest with hints of rose petals and lavender. On the palate, pine and lemon freshness with hints of strawberry and raspberry with a zingy finish that’s reminiscent of fruit salad sweets with notes of pineapple and raspberry.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Sorrel, Lemon Balm, Apples
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42.8% vol
Goes great with: Sprig of fresh mint, tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: June 2021

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Smoke & Zest Gin

The second limited edition release as part of the Darnley’s Cottage Series, Smoke & Zest London Dry Gin is distilled using juniper, coriander, angelica root, barley, orange peel, rowan berry and lapsang souchong - a type of tea from Asia. On the nose, notes of sweet berry along with fresh fruit, citrus and a delicate smoke and pine. On the palate, citrus up front and centre stage with sweet bursts of orange and grapefruit and a rich, smooth malty depth. Subtly blended into this is a light taste of smoke. The finish delivers a fruity complexity at the start with smoke which slowly intensifies over a long finish. Smoke & Zest is now entirely sold out.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Orange Peel, Lapsang Souchong, Barley, Rowan Berry
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 41.5% vol
Goes great with: A sprig of thyme, slice of lemon, tonic and ice. Or a twist of orange peel, ginger ale and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: October 2019

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Very Berry Gin

Very Berry is the inaugural release in its range of limited editions under the banner, Cottage Series. Inspiration for the recipe was taken from the countryside in which the Darnley's Gin cottage sits. On the nose, sugar kelp gives both sweet and salty notes with rosehip adding a fragrance of raspberry and hibiscus. To taste, tart and bitter up front with rich fruit from elderberry and sloes. To finish, a sweet and aromatic character over the palate balanced with a coastal mineral flavour. Very Berry is now entirely sold out.

Details

Key Botanical(s): Rosehip, Elderberry, Sloe Berry, Sugar Kelp
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 41.5% vol
Goes great with: Red berry garnish, Mediterranean Tonic and ice.

Production

Method: Rectified - Grain Neutral Spirit
Location: Darnley's Gin Cottage, Fife, Scotland
Released: July 2018

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Distillery

Darnley's Gin Cottage and Distillery

The Danrnley’s Gin cottage is the brand home of Darnley’s Gin and officially opened its doors in 2017. Set in the picturesque East Neuk of Fife, the cottage, located next to the Kingsbarn’s Distillery, underwent a complete restoration from a derelict and dilapidated farm cottage to create a unique Scottish Gin experience for visitors. The cottage includes the Darnley’s Gin Distillery, with a 350-litre engineered copper still fabricated by Italian still maker Frilli, a tasting room and the Darnley’s Gin School. The tasting room features several hidden panels that take guests through the Darnley’s Gin journey as part of the Darnley’s Gin tour. Darnely’s Gin School visitors can create a bespoke Darnely’s Gin with a mini copper still and a selection of botanicals before filling, labelling and naming their new Scottish Gin. While visitors wait for their gin to distil, visitors can enjoy a tutored Darnley’s Gin tasting and learn more about the history gin, distillation and Danrley’s story. The main Kingsbarn’s Distillery, a whisky distillery, also has several tours and experiences and a shop, cafe and bar.

Details

Tour: Yes
Gin School: Yes
Cafe: Yes
Bar: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: Learn more about Darnley’s Gin experiences here

Address

East Newhall Farm, Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, KY16 8QE - View on Google Maps
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Disclaimer: Where applicable, book your Scottish Gin experience in advance and check with the venue before heading off on your journey.
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