This is
GIN 2018
The Guide to Scottish Gins Karin McGivern
This is
GIN 2018
This is Gin 2018 Published by Disrupted Limited 2017 The right of Karin McGivern to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by it in accordance with the copyright, designs and patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to Disrupted Limited, 16 Brae Crescent, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, AB42 5FD. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and take no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information published on any of these pages. Disrupted Limited www.disrupted.co.uk hello@disrupted.co.uk Design and Photography: Andi Ramsay, Lumogenesis Ltd. www.ThisIsGuides.com/Gin Please drink responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk
Contents
Introduct ion
Welcome 003 The Distillation Process 005
The Gins A-E
Achroous 012 Ancient Mariner 014 Avva 016 Badachro 018 Bardowie 020 Blackwoods 022 Boe Superior 024 The Botanist 026 Caorunn 028 Colonsay Gin 030
Crossbill 032 Daffy’s 034 Darnley’s 036 Duncan’s 038 Dundee Gin 040 Eden Mill 042 Edinburgh 044 El:gin 046 Esker 048
All About The Tonic 050
The Gins F-K
Firkin 056 Gilt 058 Gin Bothy 060 Ginerosity 062 Glen Wyvis 064 Gordon Castle 066 Gordon’s 068 Hendrick’s 070 Hills & Harbour 072 Honeyberry 074
House of Elrick 076 Indian Summer 078 Inshriach 080 Isle of Barra 082 Isle of Harris 084 Jaggi 086 Jinzu 088 Kintyre 090 Kirkjuvagr 092 Kirsty’s Gin 094
Garnish 095
The Gins L-R
Leith 100 Lilliard 102 Loch Ness 104 Lone Wolf 106 Lussa 108 Makar 110 McQueen 112 Minus 33 114 Misty Isle 116 NB 118
Old Raj 120 One Square 122 Orkney Gin Company 124 Persie 126 Pickering’s 128 Porter’s 130 Redcastle 132 Rock Rose 134 Royal Yacht Britannia 136
Arbikie Distillery 137
The Gins S-Z
Sea Glass 148 Shetland Reel 150 Solway 152 Stirling 154 Strathearn 156 Tanqueray 158
Teasmith 160 Thompson Brothers 162 Tyree 164 Verdant 166 Whitetail 168 Wild Island 170
The People
Karin McGivern 174 Andi Ramsay 176 Thanks 177
Glossary 179
Introduction 002
The Distillation Process 005
Gin distillation is one of the most contentious topics surrounding the Scottish Gin industry. There are various ways you can produce the end product; you can either distil from scratch or buy-in the base spirit (more about this later), then add botanicals to it. It is not for me to say which is the correct way to make gin. Personally, I believe that it is up to the industry to sort this matter out, so therefore all I intend to do here is tell you about distillation. Distillation is the process of taking the spirit and raising the temperature so that different fractions are evaporated off with the pure alcohol being the sought-after fraction. This produces what is known as Grain Neutral Spirit (known as GNS), essentially a highly concentrated ethanol. For gin this spirit needs to be of agricultural origin, primarily it is a grain such as barley or wheat but can also be rye, potatoes, grapes, molasses, etc. The actual distillation process begins with fermentation. This involves taking your chosen crop and adding boiling water to it. This produces a wash to which yeast is added to convert the sugars in the grain into alcohol. At this point the alcohol content of the liquid is around 8-10%. This wash is then fed into a column
006
009
The Gins A-E
010
011
Achroous
This is your space:
Achroous
Nestled within what can only be described as the boldest gin bottle on the market, Achroous is as bold as the vessel within which it lives. With a spicy kick, along with a full juniper body, Achroous is sweetly spicy, followed by more floral citrus notes and leaving an aniseed taste on the finish. Try it as a Negroni for a spicy drink with a difference.
This is your rating:
012
029
Colonsay Gin
This is your space:
There are some other expressions available from Colonsay. However, the most interesting thing of all is their gin lovers’ retreat! See their website for more information.
Colonsay Gin
This elegant, lean bottle may misconstrue the punchy spirit it contains. Colonsay is a juniper led gin that has a delicate blend of citrus, sweetness and earthy warmness. This is a complex yet tasty gin that has a quietly confident flavour profile.
This is your rating:
030
049
All About The Tonic
Tonic water is to gin as cola is to rum. The eternal question is, “which tonic do I use?” There really is such a selection these days. Most have heard of Fevertree, Fentiman’s, Franklin & Sons, and Schweppes but there are so many other brands available, from 1724 to Bon-Accord, Walter Gregor’s to Q tonic to name but a few. One particular brand sparked my interest when, at a meeting with a bartender, he offered me hibiscus tonic as a soft drink and it was delicious. It turns out that the hibiscus tonic water comes from Lamb & Watt, and is part of a range of six mixers. Lamb & Watt were founded in 1847 in Warrington, where they were committed to producing the best cordials and syrups. Their products such as alcoholic clove cordial and alcoholic aniseed cordial (although no longer in production) are sought after in the collectors’ market today. 050
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The Gins F-K
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Hills & Harbour
This is your space:
Hills & Harbour
Hills & Harbour from Crafty Distillery is a very versatile gin. It has essentially been crowd sourced in that they sent samples of their initial distillates to their ‘Crafty 100’. Their responses have given rise to the Hills and Harbour gin that has noble fir needles & bladderwrack seaweed distilled with 9 other botanicals, creating a smooth and vibrant gin. Try this with a premium tonic and a slice of mango to garnish for a tasty treat. This is your rating:
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075
House of Elrick
This is your space:
How about trying this gin as a Gimlet? 60ml of gin, 15ml of roses cordial. Shake over ice and serve in a chilled glass. (Credit: House of Elrick)
House of Elrick
This bold, fresh gin gives a slightly earthy taste on the palate, yet comes to a fresh finish. It has a full complement of botanicals: juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, citrus peel, heather, pink peppercorns, sweet fennel, and rose petals. All-in a great versatile gin that can be sipped neat or served tall over ice.
This is your rating:
076
Arbikie Distillery 137
I was very fortunate this year to have been a judge for the inaugural Scottish Gin Awards. This gala event had many categories for products, marketing, and visitor facilities; along with the ‘Distillery of the Year’ award. The winner of this prestigious title was Arbikie Highland Estate. I thought it would be fitting to include them in this edition of the book as our focus distillery. So, we headed off on a damp day in early September to visit them and see why they were awarded such an honour. Arbikie are based near Arbroath, on the east coast of Scotland. Owned by the Stirling family, the land is surrounded on the east by the North Sea and to the west by the rolling Angus hills. Sadly, we couldn’t see much of these on our visit due to the east coast haar (thick seafog), which has lent its name to their newest product in the line-up; their third Vodka. Unfortunately Arbikie aren’t set up for visitors so you can’t go and see them for yourself yet. I do have it on good authority, however, that they have plans in the pipeline to open for visitors in the future.
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The People 172
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Following the unanticipated yet phenomenal response to This is Gin 2017, Karin knew that this year’s guide couldn’t just be an update, it had to be an evolution. Months of additional work have been poured into this edition, and a loftier set of ideas have driven her to explore the gin world like nobody else. “The highlight of the year was definitely being asked to be a judge for the inaugural Scottish Gin Awards. To know that not only were other people as enthusiastic about Scottish Gin as I am, but to have my involvement and expertise called upon was amazing.” This is Gin 2018 has been a huge undertaking for Karin, but every moment, all the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this book have been worth it for her and Karin is overjoyed by the end result.
Karin McGivern
Karin McGivern
When not researching, writing about, or occasionally sampling Scottish Gin, Karin loves helping business owners to improve their businesses, especially throughout the agricultural world. She also has a particular soft spot for her two nephews, and her dog Zeus. 174
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After working as the photographer on This is Gin 2017, Andi stepped up this year to do more than just produce the beautiful images that grace these pages. He also took on the challenge of designing a book which would deliver something completely new, reflecting the ever-evolving Scottish gin industry, as well as appealing to the modern ‘Ginthusiast’ (as he likes to say). “I wanted to see This is Gin become something that reflected the intelligent audience of gin drinkers. I hoped to create a book that they not only trusted, but that would be their steadfast companion on their gin exploration.” Andi has always revelled in a challenge that stretches his abilities, but working to Karin’s exacting standards and lofty ambitions has taught him to be careful what he wishes for!
Andi Ramsay
Andi Ramsay
When not laying out books, crafting video, or taking photos, Andi’s loves are his wife, his amazing niece, a strong gin or a smooth whisky, movies with a great story, and creating things with his hands; normally in the form of woodworking, knitting, or crocheting. 176
Continuing the exploration of gins produced across Scotland, This is Gin 2018 takes you on a tour of the best gins available. With tips, tasting notes, and a peek behind the scenes; every gin lover is sure to find this book an indispensable companion as they experience the rich variety of gins that Scotland has to offer.
ÂŁ17 www.thisisguides.com Published by Disrupted Limited