Edinburgh Gin was established in 2010 by husband and wife Alex and Jane Nicol who owned the Spencerfield Spirit Company. The couple started off small selling their gin at local gardening shows and events around the Edinburgh area. Over the next four years the Edinburgh Gin brand grew in popularity and recognition so much so that in 2014 Alex and Jane sold the business to Ian Macleod Distillers who had helped support the couple with their production and distribution.
2014 was also a substantial year in the Edinburgh Gin story that saw the business opening its Rutland Place Distillery, home to two 150 litre Carl Stills and soon after The Biscuit Factory Distillery in Leith, home to a 1000 litre Hoga Still, with both distilleries providing capacity for the brands growing demand. It was also the year that a young fresh faced distiller David Wilkinson joined the new Edinburgh Gin team. Finlay Nicol, the son of Alex and Jane, also joined the small but growing Edinburgh Gin team eventually working his way up to distillery manager.
Since 2014 and under the guidance and direction of Head Distiller David Wilkinson and Distillery Manager Finlay Nicol along with the wider distillery team, the Edinburgh Gin range of Scottish Gins has grown to cover many different styles of Scottish Gin but always with a focus on flavour and story; an ethos that has driven the brand and development of the Edinburgh Gin range of Scottish Gins.
In 2024 the doors of the Rutland Place Distillery and The Biscuit Factory distillery in Leith were closed for a final time as Edinburgh Gin moved its production to its purpose built Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches in the heart of Edinburgh. The new distillery houses three custom Carl engineered stills and offers a variety of Scottish Gin experiences including tours and tastings along with sensory led experiences plus a gin school where visitors can make their own bespoke bottle of Edinburgh Gin.
The Classic Edinburgh Dry Gin from Edinburgh Gin is distilled using a carefully balanced blend of fourteen botanicals, including juniper, lavender, pine buds, mulberries, and cobnuts. Orange peel, lemongrass, and lime peel contribute lively citrus notes, creating a clean, zesty, juniper-forward flavour profile with balanced citrus notes. On the nose, piney juniper and fresh citrus. On the palate, juniper leads with fresh citrus notes and some earthy spice. The finish provides further crisp citrus and warming spice notes.
Key Botanical(s): Cobnuts, Mulberries, Pine Buds
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of orange, tonic and ice.
Cannonball Navy Strength Dry Gin from Edinburgh Gin takes its inspiration from Edinburgh’s rich naval heritage and the famous One O’Clock Gun. At 1pm a cannon located at Mill’s Mount Battery at Edinburgh Castle is fired to signal the time. Botanicals include double the amount of juniper found in the other Scottish Gins in the Edinburgh Gin range, yuzu citrus peel, Szechuan peppercorns and a range of other classic gin botanicals. On the nose, bright piney juniper and fresh citrus notes dominate. On the palate, piney and bold juniper opens the palate to zingy citrus with balanced with some spicy earthy notes. The long and lingering finish develops from rich zesty citrus notes to a pleasant warming and drying spice.
The Gin Coopertaive Awards for Cannonball Navy Strength Dry Gin include:
• Silver - Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award 2023
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Szechuan Peppercorns, Yuzu Peel
Gin Style: Navy Strength Scottish Gin
Strength: 57.2% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, tonic and ice.
Seaside Coastal Dry Gin from Edinburgh Gin was originally a collaboration project between Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Brewing and Distilling MSc course students and Edinburgh Gin. Students foraged the Scottish shoreline and discovered bladderwrack seaweed, ground ivy and scurvy grass featured in the initial recipe development, along with a selection of classic botanicals, including juniper, grains of paradise, coriander and cardamom. On the nose, fresh, green, earthy and herbaceous notes. On the palate, juniper and citrus give way to rich, fresh coastal notes tempered with rich, earthy spices. On the finish, herbaceous notes transition to a warming and rich spice that develops into a savoury saline coastal note.
Key Botanical(s): Bladderwrack Seaweed, Grains of Paradise, Ground Ivy
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A sprig of green samphire, tonic and ice.
Initially branded as 1670 Gin, taking its name from the year the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was founded, this gin was rebranded and renamed in 2024 after Edinburgh Gin introduced its new look packaging and brand. Edinburgh Botanics' Dry Gin was a collaboration with the world renowned Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). This partnership saw Edinburgh Gin's Head Distiller, David Wilkinson, working closely with Botanist Dr Greg Kenicer over 12 months to craft this tailor-made Scottish Gin. Botanicals from the gardens feature in the Edinburgh Botanics' Dry Gin distillation, including Tasmanian lanceolate leaves and berries, piper leaf along with juniper, coriander seed, liquorice root, cardamom and sweet cicely. On the nose, abundant herbaceous notes gather alongside a subtle floral note. On the palate, distinct juniper and aromatic peppery spices develop. The finish leads with a soft sweetness layered with bright, warming spices and an earthy herbaceous note.
Key Botanical(s): Cardamom, Tasmanian Lanceolta Leaves, Tasmanian Lanceolta Berries
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A basil leaf, tonic and ice.
Tiramisu Edinburgh Dry Gin from Edinburgh Gin captures the essence of the classic dessert in liquid form. Botanicals include cacao nibs, coffee beans, hazelnuts, tonka beans, vanilla pods and a selection of classic gin botanicals including juniper. On the nose aromatic and rich coffee. On the palate, the cacao nibs and coffee beans impart distinct coffee, chocolate and biscuit notes with creamy hints of rich vanilla. The finish is like a scoop of Tiramisu dessert, with coffee, chocolate and cream notes. The coffee beans used in the distillation have been carefully selected from Pact Coffee. Pact Coffee is on a mission to bring outstanding speciality coffee to the lips of the nation at a fair price, whilst improving lives and protecting the planet.
Key Botanical(s): Caco Nibs, Coffee Beans, Tonka Bean
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, tonic and ice.
The first release in the Edinburgh Gin Traveller’s Collection series of Scottish Gins, The Meadows was inspired by the cherry blossom trees dotted around Edinburgh’s Meadows park, a green escape in the city centre. Exclusively available at the Edinburgh Gin Boutique at Edinburgh Airport and Avolta stores, The Meadows gin features a range of botanicals all included to capture the essence of a spring stroll through the famous Edinburgh park. Botanicals include chamomile clover, elderberry, elderflower, hazelnut, juniper, lavender, lemon verbena, meadowsweet and orris root. One the nose, light florals and fresh green herbs. On the palate, grassy citrus is layered with light florals and creamy earthy nut note. The finish leads with floral notes that meld with hazelnut to leave a rich, nutty, earthy finish.
Key Botanical(s): Elderflower, Hazelnuts, Meadowsweet
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 42% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, tonic and ice.
Old Tom Gin from Edinburgh Gin is an homage to a 200-year-old gin recipe. This new recipe focuses on botanicals that create the flavours and sensation of sweetness on the palate rather than using sugar, honey, or other sweeteners usually associated with the Old Tom style of gin, which features a sweet element. Botanicals include tonka beans, sarsaparilla root, macadamia nuts and meadowsweet, alongside a selection of classic gin botanicals. On the nose, fresh, creamy vanilla notes are balanced with earthy, nutty notes. On the palate, a nutty bittersweet note is balanced with an earthy sweetness and candied florals. Creamy, sweet vanilla notes and nutty almonds on the finish, with a viscous, coating sweet mouthfeel on the finish.
Key Botanical(s): Macadamie Nuts, Sarsaparilla Root, Tonka Beans
Gin Style: Old Tom Scottish Gin
Strength: 42% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, tonic and ice.
Key Lime and Ginger Gin from Edinburgh Gin features key limes, ginger root, and a variety of classic gin botanicals. On the nose, bright and zingy lime and citrus. On the palate, sharp, crisp lime balanced with a warming, earthy, rich ginger. The finish delivers further citrus notes that transition to an earthy, aromatic, candied ginger sweetness. Key Lime and Ginger Gin from Edinburgh Gin is only available exclusively from Duty Free shops.
Key Botanical(s): Key Lime Peel, Ginger Root, Juniper
Gin Style: Flavoured Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A wedge of lime, tonic and ice.
Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Gin from Edinburgh Gin is distilled using a balanced combination of classic and bold flavoured botanicals. A classic London Dry Gin profile is layered with bright bursts of strawberries, which are sourced from Scottish fruit farms. The fruit notes are balanced with a slightly sweet spice from the pink peppercorns, which leaves a lingering, tingling, fruity spice on the finish.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Strawberries, Pink Peppercorns
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A sliced strawberry, tonic and ice.
Inspired by the Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur, Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin is a full-strength, bolder version at 40% ABV. Edinburgh Gin Classic is infused post-distillation with spring-harvested rhubarb and stem ginger to create a fruity, slightly tart but jammy balanced flavour profile with some sweetness and distinct warming, aromatic, earthy, spicy notes from the ginger on the palate and finish.
Key Botanical(s): Ginger Root, Juniper, Rhubarb
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: Chopped rhubarb, tonic and ice.
Elderflower & Gooseberry Gin from Edinburgh Gin is a combination of both tangy gooseberry and sweet elderflower. The Classic Edinburgh Dry Gin, distilled using several classic gin botanicals, is infused gooseberries and elderflowers. On the nose, fresh, green gooseberries and floral notes. On the palate some initial juniper followed by fresh, bold, tangy gooseberries balanced with a light, sweet floral note. The finish is crisp and refreshing with a mellow tartness and sweet, crisp, dry note.
Key Botanical(s): Elderflower, Gooseberry, Juniper
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, tonic and ice.
Raspberry Gin from Edinburgh Gin is bursting with the sweet and natural flavours of raspberries, sourced from Perthshire, a region known for its quality soft fruit. The Classic Edinburgh Dry Gin, distilled using several classic gin botanicals, is infused post-distillation with fresh raspberries and raspberry leaves. The result is a classic gin backbone with bursts of rich raspberry sweetness and red fruits on the nose, palate and finish.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Raspberries, Raspberry Leaves
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, some raspberries, tonic and ice.
Orange & Basil Gin from Edinburgh Gin features a range of botanicals, including fresh and dried Valencian orange peels, fresh basil, which is vapour infused and a selection of classic gin botanicals, including juniper. On the nose, bright, zesty orange partners with green, herbaceous notes. On the palate, the citrus notes of juniper are brought to life with the orange peels, with a bright and zesty burst of clean and crisp orange balanced with an earthy, savoury garden note from the basil. The finish features citrus notes that mellow into a savoury, herbaceous, crisp, refreshing, aromatic note.
Key Botanical(s): Basil, Juniper, Orange Peels
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A wedge of orange, tonic and ice.
Christmas Edinburgh Dry Gin from Edinburgh Gin is a seasonal release and features several festive botanicals that capture the festive season in a glass. It features aromatic cinnamon, frankincense, ginger root, nutmeg, sweet myrrh and a selection of classic gin botanicals. On the nose, fragrant and aromatic earthy notes and festive spices. On the palate, rich festive spices are balanced with some subtle citrus and earthy notes. On the finish, the spice notes develop a subtle sweetness before developing into a warming spiced nutmeg note.
Key Botanical(s): Frankincense, Myrrh, Nutmeg
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange, a cinnamon stick and neat over ice.
Valentine’s Gin from Edinburgh Gin is a seasonal release inspired by the most romantic day of the year. It features a variety of botanicals, including chamomile, hibiscus flowers, Kaffir lime leaf, lemon balm, lemongrass, rose flowers and a selection of classic gin botanicals. On the nose, light and fresh floral notes. On the palate, floral notes are balanced with light citrus. On the palate, florals transition through citrus to leave a light, drying and crisp finish.
Key Botanical(s): Chamomile, Kaffir Lime Leaf, Lemongrass
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, Rose lemonade and ice.
Edinburgh Gin Old Tom Gin is the first release in the Edinburgh Gin Experimental Series of limited edition, small batch Scottish Gins. Botanicals include macadamia nuts, meadowsweet, sarsaparilla root and tonka beans. The post-distillation addition of agave syrup enhances the subtle sweetness and gives the gin a rich, creamy, and viscous mouthfeel. On the nose, aromatic fruits, florals and earthy herbaceous notes. On the palate, creamy, sweet vanilla and almond notes develop into a bittersweet, earthy nut note balanced with some green, savoury, herbaceous flavours. On the finish, florals, earthy, spice, and nuts.
Key Botanical(s): Macadamie Nuts, Sarsaparilla Root, Tonka Beans
Gin Style: Old Tom Scottish Gin
Strength: 42.2% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Gin Salt ’n’ Sauce Gin is the second release in the Edinburgh Gin Experimental Series of limited edition, small batch Scottish Gins. Salt ’n’ Sauce Gin is a nod to one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated urban culinary dishes. This London Dry Scottish Gin uses tangy tamarind and sweet dates, which help balance the bold flavours. Apples add a layer of sweet, fresh fruit and tomato powder adds a savoury base and a touch of chilli powder adds additional aromatic spices and warmth on the palate. Bladderwrack seaweed adds a saline note and vinegar gives it a subtle tang on the palate.
Key Botanical(s): Bladderwrack Seaweed, Dates, Tamarind
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A wedge of lime, Mediterranean tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Gin Cranachan Gin is the third release in the Edinburgh Gin Experimental Series of limited edition, small batch Scottish Gins. Cranachan Gin is a take on the Scottish dessert that features oats, raspberries and a dash of whisky. The gin is produced using fresh raspberries sourced from Perthshire and a freeze dried raspberry powder, which is then infused with The Classic Edinburgh Dry Gin and aged in an ex-Glengoyne Single Malt Whisky cask for three months. Post-maturation, the gin is infused with toasted oats and fresh raspberries before the Edinburgh Honey Company honey is added to balance the sweetness. The result is a Scottish Gin with notes of fresh raspberries and creamy oats with a balanced sweetness and warming mouthfeel.
Key Botanical(s): Honey, Oats, Raspberries
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 46% ABV
Goes great with: Raspberries, tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Gin Marmalade Sandwich Gin is the fourth release in the Edinburgh Gin Experimental Series of limited edition, small batch Scottish Gins. Marmalade Sandwich Gin is a nod to head distiller David Wilkinson’s childhood memories of marmalade sandwiches and the flavours that evoke good times. The distillation features two types of orange peel along with two types of malted barley, Caramalt and Melanoidin, and spicy, warming ginger root. The final key element to the gin is the use of real butter to create a coating, rich, buttery mouthfeel.
Key Botanical(s): Butter, Malted Barley, Orange Peel
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 42.6% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of orange peel, tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Gin Scandi Gin is the fifth release in the Edinburgh Gin Experimental Series of limited edition, small batch Scottish Gins. Scandi Gin takes its influence from the flavours traditionally associated with Aquavit, a popular Nordic spirit drink. Scandi Gin features caraway seeds, dill, and lingonberries balanced with cloves and cubeb pepper. The addition of aniseed adds some fresh menthol notes on the finish.
Key Botanical(s): Caraway Seeds, Cloves, Lingonberries
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 44.4% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, Mediterranean tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Gin collaborated with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator and actor of the TV series Fleabag, to create Edinburgh Gin Presents: Phoebe Waller-Bridge special edition bottle, filled with The Classic Edinburgh Dry Gin. All profits from sales of this limited edition one-off gin will contribute to the arts' recovery by creating subsidies that will help the next generation of talent to return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022. Phoebe first performed her then one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe. She hopes "every purchase inspires outrageous and creative conversations over ice while bringing the beloved Fringe festival back to life".
Key Botanical(s): Cobnuts, Mulberries, Pine Buds
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of orange, tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Gin Presents: Eddie Izzard is a limited edition Scottish Gin made in collaboration with TV, film and stage icon Eddie Izzard. Eddie worked closely with the Edinburgh Gin distillation team, selecting several botanicals, with the first letters of these spelling out the word ‘BELIEVE'. The botanicals used in the distillation include bladderwrack seaweed, echinacea, elderberries, elderflower, inca berries, lemon myrtle and verbena. Other botanicals found in the distillation include juniper, myrtle and angelica root. The flavour profile balances savoury, floral and citrus across the nose and the palate. Every penny of profit from this release goes to supporting new talent at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Key Botanical(s): Elderberries, Inca Berries, Verbena
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 42% ABV
Goes great with: A sprig of rosemary, tonic and ice.
Edinburgh Castle Gin from Edinburgh Gin is a collaboration between Historic Environment Scotland, the caretakers of one of Edinburgh’s most famous and historic sites, Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Gin. Edinburgh Castle Gin was inspired by Edinburgh's rich history of gin and its gorse clad spring landscape. The gorse adds fresh coconut and floral notes to taste with pink grapefruit and yuzu bringing sweet, tart citrus notes and pink peppercorn delivering a long lasting kick of heat on the finish. Edinburgh Castle Gin is available from the Edinburgh Castle shops and on the Historic Environment Scotland online store. The gin will also be served at official events at Edinburgh Castle, as well as being available as a gin flight in the castle’s ‘Queen Anne Tearoom’.
Key Botanical(s): Grapefruit, Gorse Flowers, Yuzu Peel
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 43% ABV
Goes great with: A wedge of grapefruit, tonic and ice.
Discover the Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches, the new home of Edinburgh Gin, in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Step into the world of Edinburgh Gin as you explore our Flavour Arch, where the rich aromas of carefully chosen botanicals come to life. From the Classic Tour and Tasting experience to the Decadent Duo, an indulgent Edinburgh Gin and chocolate pairing experience, immerse your senses in the history, wonder and craftsmanship of Edinburgh Gin. Elevate your understanding of gin with the Aroma Alchemy Masterclass, where you’ll delve deep into the intricate aromas and flavours that define the award-winning Edinburgh Gin range. Get hands-on with a Mix and Muddle experience where you’ll learn more about the art of cocktail making, or become a distiller for the day with a Gin Making experience. Under the guidance of a Distillery Ambassador, you’ll learn more about the gin making process before selecting a range of botanicals and distilling your very own bespoke Edinburgh Gin using a traditional copper pot gin still.
Tour: Yes
Gin School: Yes
Cafe: No
Bar: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: Book an Edinburgh Gin visitor experience here
Learn more about Edinburgh Gin by visiting the links below.
