Established in 2017, the Tayport Distillery set out to create spirits that were Scottish in not only name but flavour. Founded by Kecia McDougall, originally from America, Kecia grew up around the apple orchards of Ohio. There were local tales of moonshiners hiding out with makeshift stills producing moonshine from whatever they could get their hands on, including the local apples.
Hopping over the pond to Scotland, Kecia released Scotland’s first Eau de Vie, Never 25, in 2017; a clear, colourless fruit brandy that is produced by means of fermentation and double distillation. Since this first sprint, the distillery has continued to grow releasing various award-winning products and spirits. In 2020, the distillery released its first gin, Wild Rose Gin. Tayport Distillery is also one of a select handful of distilleries in Scotland that produce their own base spirit, which is made from locally sourced grain.
Juniper and coriander are first steeped in base spirit for 24 hours before being distilled. Once distilled, the small family team vapour infuse angelica, lemon peel, almond, bayleaf and wild rose, which is foraged from the bank of the Tay River.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Lemon Peel, Wild Rose
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of orange, light tonic and ice.
Scots Pine is foraged from the family's garden and steeped with juniper and coriander 24 hours before distillation. During distillation they then vapour infuse the rest of our botanicals resulting in an evergreen, yet balanced juniper-led gin with all the right citrus and spice notes.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Scots Pine, Cassia, Orange Peel
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of orange, light tonic or ginger ale and ice.
The Tayport Distillery is located on the outskirts of the small town of Tayport, which overlooks the River Tay with views to Broughty Ferry to the north and the Tentsmuir Nature Reserve to the east. The distillery resides in a commercial unit and is home to a 500 litre iStill, which is used to create the base spirit for various spirits produced at the distillery, including Wild Rose Gin, Malted Barley Vodka and Eau de Vie. The distillery offers tours along with a spirit blending experience where visitors can blend various distillates to create their own unique blended spirit.
Tour: Yes
Gin School: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: Book tours and spirit blend experiences on the Tayport Distillery website here
You can learn more about the maker by clicking the links below.
