July saw some exciting releases and news. LinGin investing in a custom bottle not only signifies a major milestone and step change in ambition for the distillery, but is surely a sign of things to come; producers in Scotland, and further afield, recognising that the consumer not only expects a tasty liquid but an eye-catching bottle… and an interesting story.
A distillery exclusive and sold-out locally foraged gin were amongst the new releases this month. We’re looking forward to bringing news of Scottish Gin based events and awards returning soon, including the much anticipated The Gin To My Tonic Show Glasgow and Scottish Gin Awards 2021.
New Scottish Gins & Special Releases
McLean’s Strathaven Hedgerow Gin
McLean’s Strathaven Hedgerow Gin is a London Dry gin that uses botanicals exclusively foraged within a five mile radius of the McLean’s Gin Lab, with exception of juniper. Limited to approximately 1,000 bottles annually, every release will have variations based on the availability of botanicals and changing of seasons. This first release features 11 botanicals including brambles, gorse flowers, hawthorn berries, Scots pine needles and golden chanterelle mushrooms. The nose is light, clean and fresh like a morning walk down a country lane. The palate features juniper delivering a resinous, fresh pine along with soft fruits, florals, some herbaceous notes that all intertwine to create a gin that’s rich in flavour, balanced and delicious.
Learn more about McLean’s Gin here.
Tipple Gin
Tipple Gin is the flagship release from Tipple Spirits Company, created by gin drinkers Neil Thomson and Laura Punzano. A long time in the making, with release delayed as a result of covid, Tipple Gin was created by the couple then upscaled and produced at the local Aberdeenshire distillery Lost Loch Spirits. The gin features damsons, Deeside honey, rosemary and wild berries in the distillation, delivering a wonderful flavour journey and mouthfeel.
Learn more about Tipple Spirits Company here.
Inspirited Bergamot Orange and Golden Kiwi Gin
This gin was actually awarded a Silver medal in the Contemporary category at The Gin Masters 2020 in December last year, but July was the official release of this Scottish Gin expression. Created by owner and distiller Lawrence Nicholson at Inspirited in South Lanarkshire, using their bespoke still, the gin features a number of zesty fruit botanicals including three types of orange peel along with lush golden kiwi, coconut, lemon peel, juniper and more to create a gin that’s bursting with bright orange flavours.
Learn more about Inspirited here.
Edinburgh Gin presents Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Edinburgh Gin collaborated with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator and actor of the TV series Fleabag to create this special edition gin. All profits from sales of this limited edition one-off gin will contribute to the arts’ recovery by creating subsidies that will help the next generation of talent to return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022. More than £150,000 is expected to be raised. Phoebe first performed her then one-woman-show at Edinburgh Fringe and so she’s hopes “every purchase inspires outrageous and creative conversations over ice while bringing the beloved Fringe festival back to life”. Exclusive access to the pre-sale is available through the Edinburgh Gin website and it’s expected to go on general sale next month around the time of the Fringe Festival.
Learn more about Edinburgh Gin here.
Ben Lomond Blood Orange & Pink Grapefruit Gin
Ben Lomond Gin have created a third infused Scottish Gin with the release of their new Blood Orange & Pink Grapefruit expression. Described as bright, fresh and zesty, it delivers a juicy citrus flavour with a berry sweet finish. The gin has been designed to capture the perfect summers day, inspired by the vibrant sunsets that set over Loch Lomond; the spirit home to the range of Ben Lomond Gins.
Learn more about Ben Lomond Gin here.
Scottish Gin News
Linlithgow Distillery creates bespoke bottle
Finally July saw the launch of the highly anticipated LinGin packaging redesign. Not only is it very easy on the eye but this bottle actually captures elements of its hometown’s most iconic architecture in the final design including Linlithgow Palace, St Michael’s Spire, St Magdalene’s Distillery and The Maltings. The release of this custom bottle, created by glass experts Vetroelite, has been a long process for the distillery owners and signifies a major milestone for their business as they look to invest further in the brand and expand into other spirits, including whisky.
Learn more about Linlithgow Distillery here.
1881 Distillery recruits trainee distiller
1881 Distillery confirmed the appointment of Lauren Appleyard, a new trainee distiller at the Peebles Hydro based distillery, to meet growing demand for the gin brand including their onsite gin school experiences. Lauren, a science degree graduate is about to embark on a distilling qualification and has a background in hospitality; the ideal attributes for an up and coming distiller. Lauren has already worked with the team on their most recent creation, the very limited summer edition, Hydro Garden Gin.
Learn more about 1881 Distillery here.
Awards
The Spirits Business – The Gin Masters 2021
The volume of entries to this year’s competition was huge, making it the biggest competition in the The Global Spirits Masters series to date. There will even be a second stage competition for gin, to be held in October, as a result of the demand and volume of new gin products coming to market. Industry experts judged over a two day period across Standard, Premium, Super Premium, Ultra Premium, London Dry, Contemporary, Navy Strength, Microdistillery, Old Tom, Genever, Organic, Cask Aged, Pink Gin and Flavoured Gins. The Gin Cooperative members’ winning gins are listed below. Congratulations all!
Ultra Premium
Super Premium
Premium
London Dry
Contemporary
Navy Strength Gin
Old Tom
Cask Aged
The Gin Cooperative
Our July subscribers have been treated to a bottle of Illicit London Dry Gin from Illicit Spirits and a sample of Illicit Blacklist Smoked Gin, which uses peat in the distillation, resulting in a translucent black gin packed with flavour and smokey notes. We’ll be meeting with our subscribers and owner distiller Darran for our monthly meet-the-maker early next week to find out more about the distillery and Illicit Gin range.
Learn more about Illicit Spirits here.
Learn more about our Scottish Gin Subscription here.
The Gin Cooperative Features July 2021
Here’s a look back at the editorial features we published in July 2021.
Scottish Gin News Round-Up June – read it here.
Our People, Lost Loch Spirits – read it here.
A day in the life of Colin McLean, McLean’s Gin – read it here.
Monkey Gland, A brief history and recipe – read it here.
Look through our archive of Scottish Gin news here.
You can learn more about the many great Scottish Gins by visiting the links below.
