Production
The Saxa Vord Distillery was established in the former RAF Supply Depot at the former RAF Saxa Vord in Unst Shetland. It would have stored everything that the RAF needed at the site from technical radar equipment to beds, blankets and uniforms. The owners of Shetland Reel bought the site about 12 years ago when it shut down and turned the married quarters to self-catering houses, the Sergeants Mess to a hostel and seasonal restaurant and the large building at the edge of the site just looked as though it should be a distillery, which would create jobs all year round. So in 2014, the site was converted into dedicated production facilities for the Original Gin. Gin Still Elsi (named after the Manager’s daughter) must be one of the smallest in Scotland at 100 litres, but works very efficiently and produce all Shetland Reel Gins all year round. All Shetland Reel expressions are London Dry style and involve soaking the botanicals, at least overnight, in the neutral spirit before beginning distillation. Nothing is added once distillation is complete and the only other change to the taste or nose the team might make is by maturing some of the gin in whisky or sherry casks for Limited Editions.