Scottish Gin News

Although activity and news is naturally down from this time last year, we’ve been encouraged to hear about the recovery plans for distilleries, trade and hospitality. In March alone, we talked with The Wall Street Journal, Scottish Development International, The University of Edinburgh, a TV Producer and Gin Author, all planning to create content around Scottish Gin. This can only be taken as a positive sign that Scottish Gin is well and truly here to stay and people want to continue talking about it and celebrating it – something we share their passion for! Below we’ve highlighted some of the news, events, awards and more from the month of March.

New Scottish Gins

Little Brown Dog Spirits’ Latitude Gin 

Bottled at 57.2% ABV, LBD Latitude Strength Gin is distilled with a variety of botanicals, including some which are locally foraged and grown, wood sorrel, beech leaf, parsnip and birch sap. Big sweet and sour lemon on the nose and fresh forest floor. On the palate grapefruit and sherbet dip dab with a wave of herbal tea. The finish has notes of pepper, rocket salad and lemon dressing. Thanks to the distillation process the gin manages to capture both bold and delicate flavours in the same sip, with a well balanced flavour profile that excites and entices. The ABV references the 57.2 latitude line that the distillery sits on.

Learn more about Little Brown Dog Spirits here.

BrewDog Distilling Co.’s LoneWolf Peach and Passionfruit Gin

Signature LoneWolf Gin has been infused with juicy, fresh white peach, sweet bright passionfruit and a hint of yuzu delivering a sweet, warming citrus. Botanicals include Scots Pine, Tuscan Juniper, Grapefruit and Lemon Peel, Pink Peppercorn, Orris and Angelica Root, Mace, Yuzu, Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, Almonds, Coriander, Lavendar, Cardamom, Passionfruit and White Peach.

Learn more about BrewDog Distilling Co. here.

Scottish Gin News

Barra Distillers unveil grand distillery plans

There was fantastic news from the team at Isle of Barra Distillers, who unveiled exciting plans for their new purpose built Whisky and Gin Distillery and Visitor Centre on the island. Not only will the distillery be responsible for making a huge amount of Whisky and gin, but it’s expected to create dozens of jobs and generate additional tourism for the Hebrides and Scotland. Alan Winchester joins the distillery bringing experience, trust and calibre as the opportunity to invest is now available to those wishing to be part of the creation and evolution of the impressive island distillery. Learn more about the plans and investment opportunities here.

Learn more about Isle of Barra Distillers here.

The Botanist Short Film

We loved the recent short film released by The Botanist: Wild. A State of Mind. It was genuinely inspiring and well produced. Not only does it make us want to visit the distillery and Islay but it really makes you connect with the brand and gin. After all, this is what making a Scottish Gin is all about – bottling the place, the people, the passion and the way of life. Watch the video here. Join Abi Clephane from the Bruichladdich Distillery for some whisky and Scottish Gin cocktails on Friday 2 April at 6pm – join the event here.

Learn more about The Botanist here.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) provided the industry with a great opportunity to celebrate the many amazing women working in drinks and spirits so it was great to see this coverage on and around IWD. We’d like to thank all of the wonderful women working closely with us at The Gin Cooperative including distillers, brand owners, business leaders and more; all innovative, creative and an inspiration to others. Read about just some of the women working in Scottish Gin in our Women of Gin series here.

Awards

Fairytale Distillery

Congratulation to the Fairytale Distillery who picked up a trio of awards at the 2021 Catavinum World Wine and Spirits Competition, held in the Catalan region of Spain this year. Their Highland Gins No. 29 Old Tom, No. 6 Contemporary and No. 57 Navy Strength all picked up Gold medals.

Learn more about Fairytale Distillery here.

Events

We were again encouraged to see a number of quality online events taking place during March and we hope these online formats will continue, even once real life events kick off again. Isle of Harris Distillers hosted another hugely popular virtual Harris cèilidh – joined by more talented Gaelic musicians and performers, as they continue to share their love of Harris with a truly international audience. We joined the ‘Hendrick’s Air’ virtual event with brand ambassadors Sasha Sips and Sarah Berardi from Hendrick’s Gin. Sasha and Sarah took us on a virtual flight to Girvana, or better know to most as Girvan, home of the Hendrick’s Gin Palace, whilst sipping and celebrating Hendrick’s Lunar Gin. March also saw us celebrating the very first Vermouth Day, officially taking place on 21st March but in reality there was a week long celebration in anticipation of the inaugural event. We enjoyed the many posts and content put online, not least the Instagram Lives hosted by SJ from Love Gin & Rex who interviewed a variety of Vermouth producers and enthusiasts in the week leading up to the day.

The Gin Cooperative 

We were delighted to grow our Scottish Gin Subscriber audience in March, with Esker Gin going out alongside some Cushiedoos Tonic and a sample size of Esker Gold, Honey Spiced Gin. Having met with Alasdair Day of Raasay Distillery earlier this month for our very first online meet the maker event, we look forward to bringing more insight into Esker Spirits, delivered first hand from co-founders Lynne and Steve Duthie. Learn more about our Scottish Gin Subscription here.

The Gin Cooperative Features March 2021

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

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

Discovering Scottish Gin, GlenWyvis Distillery – read it here.

In The Navy – read it here.