Scottish Gin News

Round-Up June 2021.

Published: 30th June 2021

It’s been encouraging and exciting to see some special announcements and releases in June, with Scottish Gin makers breaking the mould, thinking outside the box, innovating and venturing further than their traditional core gin range. It’s also genuinely fantastic to see Scotland’s gin producers assessing their green credentials, with new sustainable practices becoming a regular feature in our monthly news round-up – something we expect and hope will continue. Read about Scotland’s latest gins, gin news and awards below.

New Scottish Gins & Special Releases

Darnley’s Wild Citrus Gin

The team at Kingsbarns Distillery, distilling out of the Darnley’s Gin Cottage, released the third in their limited edition cottage series, following Very Berry and Smoke & Zest. This Wild Citrus Gin uses locally foraged sorrel, lemon balm grown in the gin cottage garden and apple pressings from neighbours at East Neuk Orchards. Sounds like a beautiful summer sip and if their previous cottage releases are anything to go by, this will be worth investing in.

Learn more about Darnley’s Gin here.

Harris Gin Refill Bottle

On World Refill Day, Isle of Harris Distillers announced their refill project. In an effort to acknowledge the climate crisis and mitigate their environmental impact, the distillery has developed a 500ml Harris Gin refill bottle, initially available through their limited annual subscription service, allowing customers to keep and refill their iconic glass bottle with an infinitely recyclable aluminium bottle, which will be sent every month. Learn more here.

Learn more about Isle of Harris Distillers here.

Hendrick’s Gin ready-to-pour Martini

First in the new William Grant & Sons premium cocktail range ‘Batch & Bottle’ is the Hendrick’s Gin Martini. The drink was developed by Hendrick’s distiller Lesley Gracie, in collaboration with five top international bars: Brujas, (Mexico), Maybe Sammy (Australia), Nauticus (Scotland), Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore) and Yaldy (Germany). With expert input from these bars, Lesley even developed her own vermouth to mix with Hendrick’s Gin for this first ready-to-pour cocktail release. Others will include Glenfiddich Scotch Manhattan, Reyka Rhubarb Cosmopolitan and Monkey Shoulder Lazy Old Fashioned. The ready-to-drink range will be available to buy from a select list of retailers over July and August.

Learn more about Hendrick’s Gin here.

Pickering’s Gin Flavours of Summer Selection Box

Pickering’s have been busy once again creating a new range of flavoured gins, specifically developed with summer in mind. Their botanical enGINeers have crafted Lime & Ginger, Apple & Elderflower, Blackberry & Hibiscus, Raspberry & Mint – select from two available options of 3 x 20cl tasting packs. They have also introduced 70cl bottles of the following flavoured gins – Raspberry & Mint, Lime & Ginger, Strawberry & Black Pepper and Forget-Me-Not. 

Learn more about Pickering’s Gin here.

Raven Spirits Hrafn Gin Cranachan 

Hot off the heels of their London Dry Hrafn Gin Valkyrie release last month, the team have followed up with their raspberry gin entitled Cranachan, representing the well known Scottish dessert. Developed from scratch, rather than flavouring the signature Hrafn Gin, the pink gin uses local Aberdeenshire raspberries, honey, oats and new make malt spirit, resulting in a refreshing, aromatic, contemporary style gin.

Learn more about Raven Spirits here.

Scottish Gin News

Isle of Harris Distillery Tweed – Made to Order

Isle of Harris Distillery launched Made to Order Jackets in collaboration with renowned Scottish Designer Judy R Clark this month. Isle of Harris Distillery along with Harris Tweed Hebrides, the Harris Tweed Authority and the islands’ education services worked closely with schools across the island to challenge the children to design a new Isle of Harris Distillery tweed whilst learning more about the history of tweed cloth. The winner of the competition was 14-year-old Scott Murray from Sir E. Scott School on the Isle of Harris. Scott’s winning design was woven in consultation with Judy R Clark to create this uniquely special cloth. Each jacket is ‘made to order’ in Scotland using specially woven Isle of Harris Distillery Harris Tweed combined with luxurious teal velvet collars embroidered in with rose gold threads. The linings are inspired by the Hebridean seas finished with rose copper buttons and contrasting sea blue buttonholes. Learn more here. 

Learn more about Isle of Harris Distillers here.

Natural labels for natural spirits at The Secret Garden Distillery

Having recently rebranded as The Secret Garden Distillery, formerly The Old Curiosity Distillery, the team has unveiled their new look range of Scottish Gins. With revamped branding and packaging, the new labels are made from 30% grass and 70% FSC-certified virgin pulp, manufactured without the use of any chemicals. The new labels use 97% less energy and 99% less water in the production of the paper for the labels. Bravo to The Secret Garden Distillery team!

Learn more about The Secret Garden Distillery here.

Darnley’s Gin New Edinburgh Pop-up Shop

Located on Castle Street in the heart of Edinburgh, Darnley’s Gin has opened their very own Darnley’s Gin Experience, where you can learn, blend, bottle and label your very own gin. Distiller Scott Gowans has developed a range of botanical distillates, which guests can use to blend and order their own gin. Visitors can also enjoy some refreshing drinks from the bar and buy from the core Darnley’s Gin range. Enquire or book here.

Learn more about Darnley’s Gin here.

Edinburgh Gin Summer Shop Reopens 

Edinburgh Gin’s pop-up on Frederick Street in Edinburgh’s New Town has reopened. The full range of Edinburgh Gin is available to buy plus exclusive pre-chilled ready-to-drink cocktails. You’ll also be able to take advantage of their exclusive label personalisation gift service.

Learn more about Edinburgh Gin here.

Awards 

IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) 2021

The 2021 awards results for IWSC have just been released. IWSC judges include experts and distillers from across the global spirits trade. Each spirit is judged by a whole panel in sync, allowing for group discussion and they practice a ‘double-blind’ method, which means samples are tasted in pre-poured numbered glasses to ensure judges never see a bottle. The Gin Cooperative members’ winning gins are listed below. Congratulations all!

Gold 

Silver

Bronze

Gin & Tonic

The Gin Cooperative

Our June subscribers were treated to a bottle of Devil’s Staircase from Pixel Spirits, which is a traditional London Dry style Highland spiced gin. Co-founder and distiller Craig Innes will be joining us for a meet-the-maker session next week, where our subscribers can learn more about the gin, business and distillery first hand.

Learn more about our Scottish Gin Subscription here.

The Gin Cooperative Features June 2021

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

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

A Recipe for Gin, Freya Gin, Kinrara Distillery – read it here.

New Scottish Gins for World Gin Day 2021 – read it here.

The Gin Cooperative Martini Guide – read it here.

Martinez, A brief history and recipe – read it here.

Celebrating World Martini Day 2021 – read it here.

Meet the Blogger, Gin On The Tyne – read it here.

Corpse Reviver No.2, A brief history and recipe – read it here.

Look through our archive of Scottish Gin news here.

ScottishGin.com Awards Scottish Gins