Scottish Gin News

Round-Up April 2021.

Published: 30th April 2021

April feels like the busiest month in quite a while, with the planning and lifting of restrictions, phased re-opening of hospitality and a number of spirits competitions taking place. Social media has been filled in recent days with bars and cafes reopening, which includes some, albeit restricted, Scottish Gin distilleries and experiences. Below we’ve highlighted some of the best bits from the month of April in Scottish Gin.

New Scottish Gins & Special Releases 

Rock Rose Citrus Coastal Edition Gin

Originally distilled as an exclusive edition for the Craft Gin Club in August 2020, this gin was so well received that the distillery team decided to make it part of the core range. Their most experimental edition to date was inspired by the Caithness coastline and is distilled using locally foraged kelp from Shore Seaweed and liquorice salt from Hebridean Mustard Company. Described as incredibly smooth and delectably sweet gin with a delicious salted edge.

Learn more about Dunnet Bay Distillers here. 

LoneWolf’s Ready-To-Drink Cocktails

BrewDog Distilling Co. collaborated with Regal Rogue, producers of Australian Vermouth to make a unique, limited edition collection of ready-made cocktails. The pack of 4 includes a Bold Wolf Negroni, a Lively Wolf Martini, a Paw Star Martini and a Wild Wolf Sour, which pretty much covers all bases and provides a tipple for every taste. 

Learn more about BrewDog Distilling Co. here.

Isle of Harris Launch Meadowsweet Tincture

This Meadowsweet Tincture is the third release in the distillery’s experimental apothecary range of local botanical inventions. They have once again worked with local plant expert Amanda Saurin to explore the Hebridean island’s indigenous flora. Hand-picked in south Harris in 2020, Meadowsweet is an ancient Hebridean brewing plant, known for generations for reducing fevers and pain. The tincture also contains lemon and a sweetened plum vinegar, much prized for balancing the digestion and calming inflammation. In combination, the Harris Meadowsweet Tincture does a fantastic job of evoking the unique tastes and scents of an island spring. Can be added to Harris G&T’s, martinis, or simply for experimenting in your favourite serves. 

Learn more about Isle of Harris Distillers here.

Scottish Gin News

Scottish Gin making waves in US

The Teasmith Spirit Company announced a major export deal with US retailer Total Wine & More this month. Months in the planning and execution, this first phase 6,000 bottle deal came at a crucial time for the business, which, like so many, faced several setbacks due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Teasmith Original Gin will be on sale at 214 Total Wine & More stores across 26 states from May, with further stock being shipped stateside over the next three years, providing significant revenues as part of an ongoing partnership with the retailers. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Learn more about The Teasmith Spirit Company here.

Isle of Harris Distillers also shared news this month of their gin making its way to US shores for the first time, with their multi award-winning Isle of Harris Gin available in Texas at local Goody Goody and Twin Liquors stores plus Pogo’s Wine & Spirits Dallas, as well as a handful of retail stores in California. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Learn more about Isle of Harris Distillers here.

Kintyre Gin Launch Cafe & Shop

After a long time planning and constructing, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, makers of Kintyre Gin, have finally launched their new cafe and re-opened their shop, following months of delays due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. The cafe officially opens Friday 30th April, with summer hours 11am-4pm seven days a week, serving light lunches, home bakes and coffee from local roasters Argyll Coffee Roasters. All going well, 17th May will see the launch of their gin school courses and return of tours.

Learn more about Beinn an Tuirc Distillers here.

(Re)Open for Business!

Good luck to all our members who have re-opened their doors this month, and those planning to commence Scottish Gin experiences in the coming weeks. Plans so far include:

Be sure to check with the distillery/host as days, hours and experiences are limited.

Awards

The Gin Guide Awards 2021

The Gin Guide Awards is the annual and global celebration of exceptional spirits, distilleries and distillers in the industry. In 2021 there were hundreds of entries from over 30 different countries. Winners, Highly Commended entrants and Geographic Highest Scorers from Scotland include:

Overall Winners

Highly Commended 

Geographic Highest Scorers

Craft Spirits Berlin Awards 2021

Craft Spirits Berlin Awards invites artisanal spirits brands to enter that make regionally sourced and sustainably produced spirits from natural ingredients. There are strict entry guidelines and parameters, which brands must fall within, for example small batch production and responsible, sustainable business practices. Congratulations to Port of Leith Distillery for winning Best in Class for their Lind & Lime Gin.

Bartenders’ Brand Awards 2021

The Bartenders’ Brand Awards is purely focused on the on-trade and are open to drinks brands that are available in UK cocktail, hotel and restaurant bars. Now in their fourth year, the event aims to provide independent and honest reviews for drinks brands targeting the UK bar trade. Congratulations to our members for winning the following taste medals: 

Gold (and Gin Category Champion)

Silver

Bronze

London Spirits Competition 2021

The London Spirits Competition aims to single out and shine the spotlight on those spirits brands that consumers really want to buy and have a clear market value for trade buyers. They judge based on three key areas: quality, value for money and packaging. Congratulations to our members for winning the following medals:

Gold

Silver

Bronze

The Gin Cooperative 

Following the success of our first three Scottish Gin Tasting Packs, we recently added a fourth and it provides another unique opportunity to discover and explore some fabulous Scottish Gins in their official miniature packaging. Introducing Scottish Gin Tasting Pack No 4 featuring Devil’s Staircase from Pixel Spirits, Lind & Lime from Port of Leith Distillery, Esker Gold from Esker Spirits, Misty Isle from Isle of Skye Distillers and McLean’s Something Blue from McLean’s Gin.

Shop our Scottish Gin Tasting Packs here.

Our April Scottish Gin Subscription boxes have landed and they feature Lind & Lime Gin, complemented perfectly by Bon Accord Tonic, both Edinburgh based. Co-founder at Port of Leith Distillery Ian Stirling will be joining us at our live and exclusive online meet-the-maker event on Tuesday evening. We look forward to learning more about their journey up to this point and exciting plans for the future.

Learn more about our Scottish Gin Subscription here.

The Gin Cooperative Features April 2021

Here’s a look back at the editorial features we published in April 2021.

Scottish Gin News Round-Up March – read it here.

Martini Club – read it here.

Clover Club, A brief history and recipe – read it here.

My Scottish Gin Journey, Carol Jackson, Ellis Gin – read it here.

Gin Events 2021 – read it here.

The Complete Glossary of Scottish Gin – read it here.

Scottish Gins Experiences ScottishGin.com