Scottish Gin News

Our end of month round-up captures some of the exciting news from the wonderful world of Scottish Gin. From new Scottish Gin expressions to distillery openings and more. If you’ve got a story you’d like us to consider for inclusion in next month’s Scottish Gin News Round-Up then email hello@thegincooperative.com.

It’s been encouraging to see the re-opening of so many hospitality based businesses throughout July, including some Scottish Gin distilleries and experiences and many of the shops, restaurants and bars that support the Scottish Gin industry. How businesses operate is constantly evolving as new guidance and advice is issued. While the figures in Scotland suggest the worst is behind us, it’s fair to say that businesses and the general public are still cautious about returning to normal and quite rightly so. Fortunately all of the Scottish Gin makers we’ve talked to have implemented new ways of working and while they want to create enjoyable and memorable Scottish Gin experiences, they want to carry them out safely and sensibly. We recently caught up with a number of gin makers to learn more about what plans they’ve put in place to welcome visitors back to their Scottish Gin experiences, read it here. For a comprehensive list of Scottish Gin distilleries and experiences, visit our website here but always check with the venue before heading off on your journey as some are closed to the public. For more information and guidance on how to enjoy Scotland responsibly right now, visit the Visit Scotland website here. 

New Scottish Gins

Fairytale Distillery’s Highland Summer Gin

Fairytale Distillery released the latest and their 11th Highland Gin creation this month, a special edition Summer Gin. Whilst maintaining a classic London Dry style profile, there are hints of citrus and mango, creating a real fresh summer taste. Altogether a full bodied flavour with a hint of spice at the finish. Available to order here.

Learn more about Fairytale Distillery here.

Pentland Hills Navy Strength Gin

Pentland Hills Gin released their Navy Strength Gin, which reflects all of the wonderful flavours of their original gin but with a slightly fuller flavour and higher strength of 58% ABV. Fittingly, £1 from every bottle sold is donated to the Royal Navy Benevolent Trust, a charity close the family’s heart. And if you already have a bottle of Pentland Hills Gin, you can refill with Navy OR Original at a discounted price. Buy or refill here.

Learn more about Pentland Hills Gin here.

Hebridean Pink Gin

The team behind Tyree Gin released their second Scottish Gin expression, Hebridean Pink Gin. Created using juniper, raspberries and sweet peels, it’s distilled and bottled on the Isle of Tiree, alongside their flagship Tyree Gin. Available to order here. 

Learn more about Tyree Gin here.

Cask Matured GoodWill Quercus Robur Gin

The latest expression from GlenWyvis Distillery and another limited edition cask matured Scottish Gin to join their Quercus Alba Gin; welcoming Quercus Robur Gin. Described as having clear juniper and citrus notes, which develop into a rich bramble taste and long warming finish with spiced fruit cake and ripe tangerine notes. Available to buy from their website here.  Use code FREESHIP for free UK delivery.

Learn more about GlenWyvis here.

Scottish Gin News

Hospitality Charity Auction

The #STANDFAST Charity Auction Week, organised by William Grant & Sons, took place in July, raising funds for The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland, two key hospitality charities. They auctioned some very rare spirits and once in a lifetime experiences all in the name of supporting our hospitality sector, which has been hit extremely hard by the recent Covid-19 pandemic here in the UK. See the auction results here.

While many of the Scottish Gin distilleries and shops have re-opened with new safety measure in place, there were some brand new Scottish Gin experiences opened to the public in July and some exciting projects announced that are currently under construction.

Holyrood Distillery’s Courtyard

While tours are still on hold at Holyrood Distillery, they opened a courtyard bar, directly in the front of the distillery. They have partnered with Innes & Gunn and Pizza Geeks so you can indulge in Scottish gin, beers, pizza as well as some Scotch Whiskies and a weekend cocktail menu. Find out more here.

‘Oot the Back’ at The Orkney Distillery

The team at The Orkney Distillery, home to Kirkjuvagr Orkney Gin, revealed their ‘Oot the Back’ project, which sees their outdoor area transformed into an al fresco drinking area with contactless ordering and socially distanced table pods for individual groups. The finished results look amazing. Contact the distillery team to book a table here.

Awards

London Spirits Competition 2020 

The London Spirits Competition announced the winners of their 2020 awards in July. The competition judges and scores on Quality, Value and Packaging. Well done to all of the Scottish Gin makers on their awards. The Gin Cooperative members’ winning gins were:

Fairytale Distillery’s Highland Gin No. 57 and Highland Gin No. 6, which both received Gold medals and were awarded the highest scoring Scottish Gins in the competition. Silver medals were awarded to Lost Loch Spirits’ eeNoo Gin, Darnley Gin’s Smoke & Zest Gin, Darnley’s Gin Spiced Navy Strength Gin, Biggar Strength Gin, Isle of Harris Gin, Sutors Gin and Mackintosh Mariner Strength Gin. Bronze medals were awarded to Lussa Gin, Glaswegin, Fidra Gin, Pentland Hills Gin, Biggar Gin, Fairytale Distillery’s Highland Gin No. 29 and Mackintosh Old Tom Gin.

The Spirits Business The Gin Masters 2020

The Global Spirits Masters is unique in its exclusive use of completely independent expert judges, including journalists, buyers, bartenders and educators. Well done to all of the Scottish Gin makers on their awards. Notably all Scottish Gin winners awarded Master or Gold medals. The Gin Cooperative members’ winning gins were:

Lost Loch Spirits’ eeNoo Gin, which won the top Masters prize and was praised for its “lovely bright citrus nose” and “long finish and great complexity”. Gold medals were awarded to Isle of Barra Distillers, Raven Spirits’ Hrafn Gin Thought & Memory, Raven Spirits’ Hrafn Gin Winter, BrewDog Distilling Co.’s Zealot’s Heart, BrewDog Distilling Co.’s Cloudy Lemon Gin, Red Door Gin, Port of Leith Distillery’s Lind & Lime Gin and Electric Spirit Co.’s Achroous Gin.

Scottish Gin Awards 2020

The entry deadline is fast approaching for 2020’s Scottish Gin Awards. The last day to submit an entry is Wednesday 12th August, with product delivery dates at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange being Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st August. Businesses should register online here and submit written entries before the official deadline of Wednesday 12th August. Written entries are required to qualify for the taste competition. For advice on categories, criteria and how to maximise your marks, contact Pippa here. The Awards ceremony takes place on Thursday 12th November 2020 at Glasgow’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Cambridge Street. Find out about booking tickets here; a fantastic occasion which celebrates and rewards Scotland’s thriving gin sector. 

International Scottish Gin Day 

We were delighted to welcome Schweppes as our official tonic and mixer sponsor for International Scottish Gin Day 2020 during July. Schweppes has played a massive part in the story of gin for a long time and so we’re thrilled to have their support. With its premium Signature range of tonics and mixers, along with its history and heritage as an innovator in the world of drinks, we’re excited for them to be part of the evolution of International Scottish Gin Day. UK Spirit Brand Engagement Ambassador Gaz Jones said, “Scotland is synonymous for its incredible whisky, but there’s also an amazing variety of incredible gin producers. It’s a pleasure to be celebrating International Scottish Gin Day with Schweppes for a perfect G&T.”

Learn more about Schweppes sponsorship of ISGD here.

We’ve made it even easier for individuals and businesses to celebrate International Scottish Gin Day 2020 by providing free marketing materials and branded assets, which are now available to download from the ISGD website here. These include tasting flight mats, posters, logos, social media graphics… with more coming soon.

The Gin Cooperative Features July 2020

Here’s a look back at the editorial features we published in July 2020.

Scottish Gin News Round-Up June 2020 – read it here.

My Scottish Gin Job, Neil Stewart, Orkney Distilling – read it here.

The Wonderful World of Scottish Gin, Liz Robson, Ginspired Scotland – read it here.

A brief history of the Negroni – read it here.

A New Dawn (the re-opening of Scottish Gin experiences) – read it here.

Women of Gin, Lesley Gracie, Hendrick’s Gin – read it here.

Our People, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers – read it here.

Meet the Blogger, Sipping & Styling – read it here.