The ORO Distilling Co. is a family owned venture that was established in 2017. The head distiller, Ray, is a scientist and graduate of the prestigious Heriot Watt International Centre for Brewing and Distilling. The distillery has been born out of the family’s desire to create gin that is based on a thoroughly scientific understanding of how different flavour compounds work and interact with each other.
At the Dalton Distillery all gin is made in the time honoured way, that is by redistilling a selection of natural seeds, berries, peels and barks known as ‘the botanicals’, together with high quality neutral grain spirit. They macerate this mixture for 24 hours and distil using the ‘one shot’ method. That means the stills are charged with spirit, botanicals and water to the exact proportions of the recipe. No flavour and only water is added after distillation to achieve a strength of 43% ABV.
After months of experimentation, the flagship Oro Gin recipe is a combination of classic gin botanicals such as juniper, coriander, orris root, lemon and orange peels, and the more unusual cassia bark, Malabar cardamom, pink peppercorns and lemongrass. There’s also one other signature botanical that will forever remain secret. A classical style Scottish Dry Gin, starting with robust notes of juniper smoothly moving to a zingy citrus mid body, finishing nicely dry, with a note of spiced vanilla.
Key Botanical(s): Macedonia Juniper, Coriander, Cassia Bark, Malabar Cardamom
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: A twist of lime, neat over ice.
The gin is a modern style of Scottish Dry Gin, more of a subtle juniper start point, balanced with light fresh lavender, crisp citrus and gentle orris. The lavender acts a smoothing agent rather than a flavour, creating a long lasting and refreshing gin. This gin can be enjoyed as a sipping gin over ice or served with tonic. The gin has a shimmer to it, this has been created by boosting the lavender oil content, which makes for a unique looking gin. This increase in lavender creates an even smoother and delightful taste.
Key Botanical(s): Orris Root, Lavender
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: A lavender flower, tonic and ice.
ORO Strawberry, Black Pepper and Vanilla Gin uses the signature ORO Gin as the base, which is post-distilled infused with strawberries, cracked black pepper and Madagascan vanilla to create a rich, fruit infused full-strength flavoured gin. The layers of strawberry add fresh bursts of strawberry balanced with sweeter, creamy notes from the vanilla with a slight spice and warmth from the cracked black pepper.
Key Botanical(s): Strawberry, Madagascan Vanilla, Black Pepper
Gin Style: Flavoured
Strength: 38% vol
Goes great with: A sliced strawberry, sprig of mint, lemonade and ice.
You can learn more about the maker by clicking the links below.
