Having already made their mark on the local gin scene in Stirling with their Stirling Gin Festival in 2014, which was met with critical acclaim, June and Cameron McCann noticed one thing was missing – a gin from Stirling with local botanicals. This started the wheels in motion and whilst out walking their dog and discussing potential botanicals they realised the answer was literally all around them – the Stirlingshire nettle.
After 6 long months of painstaking research, distilling, experimenting, refining and tasting, they struck gold with a recipe that delivered everything they wanted. In 2015 the first batch of Stirling Gin was distilled, bottled, labelled and ready. In 2018, Stirling Gin acquired and renovated their own premises, ‘The Old Smiddy’ distillery, which is situated under the same towering walls of Stirling Castle. After months of planning and renovating, production officially started in the summer of 2019.
The signature gin from Stirling Distillery, this gin features carefully selected botanicals that reflect the unique flavour of Stirlingshire’s local landscape. With bold juniper notes, fresh herbal tones and a peppery tang on the finish, creating a mouthful that is both spicy and dry. The nettles used in the distillation are all sustainably sourced locally tying the landscape to the spirit in the bottle.
Key Botanical(s): Stirlingshire Nettle, Basil
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: Torn basil, orange peel, tonic and ice.
Part of the Stirling Distillery Folklore Collection and inspired by the famous battle of Stirling Bridge, Battle Strength Gin is bottled at 55% ABV. A limited edition recipe for 2019, this gin features a heavy juniper forward flavour profile with fresh spice and herbs. Sharp citrus notes along with wild nettles work together to create a gin that is both complex yet smooth on the palate.
Key Botanical(s): Stirlingshire Nettle, Basil
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 55% vol
Goes great with: Torn basil, orange peel, tonic and ice.
Part of the Stirling Distillery Folklore Collection, Stirling Pink Gin is distilled with twelve botanicals including rose petals, pink peppercorn and pink grapefruit. The Folklore Collection takes its inspiration from notable local folklore and legends from the Stirling area; in the case, the Pink Lady Ghost. The story goes that the Pink Lady died of a broken heart shortly after her true love, a brave Scots knight, died in battle defending Stirling castle in 1304. Her lonely spirit is said to be wandering the Castle and the Kirk Tower in the dead of night in her elegant and distinct pink robes.
Key Botanical(s): Rose Petals, Pink Peppercorn, Pink Grapefruit
Gin Style: Flavoured
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of pink grapefruit, tonic and ice.
Created in recognition of the UK’s police forces 200 plus year service, 20% of the profits from sales of Gin Blue Line are donated to police charities supporting serving and retired police officers. Gin Blue Line features a range of botanicals including forget-me-nots, Scottish heather, sage and kaffir lime leaves along with a number of classic gin botanicals. The flavour profile encompasses citrus, floral, sweet and spice.
Key Botanical(s): Forget Me Not Petals, Sage, Kaffir Lime
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: A wedge of lime, tonic and ice.
The Stirling Distillery is housed in what was locally known as the ‘Old Smiddy’, just a short walk from the historic Stirling Castle. The new distillery has been sympathetically fitted out to accommodate some of the modern workings of a distillery without compromising on the character of the old building. The distillery features a shop area and distillery, along with a tasting area where tours, tastings and the gin school are held. With a variety of Scottish Gin experiences available and a number of Scottish spirits related events including whisky tastings, the new distillery has put the spirit of Scotland back into Stirling.
Tour: Yes
Gin School: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: Book a Stirling Distillery experience here
You can learn more about the maker by clicking the links below.
