This is
GIN Karin MCGIVERN & Scott DONALD
GIN MAP
SCOTLAND
Area 1 El:Gin Esker Gin Gordon Castle Hendrick’s Indian Summer Loch Ness Porter’s
Area 3
Area 2 Blackwood’s Kirkjuvagr Glen Wyvis Orkney Gin Co. Rosk Rose Shetland Reel Porter’s
Area 4
Gin Thangs My name’s Andy Stewart. I’m currently Head bartender at The Tippling House and generally known as the grumpy old man behind the bar. Overall I’ve been tending bar for almost 13 years in a variety of venues across the city from quiet cinema bars to heaving night clubs and from live music venues to craft cocktail bars. Along the way I’ve built up my knowledge of spirits, beers, wine, cocktails and the public as well as winning a few awards and competitions both home and abroad. Last year I was named the SLTN (Scottish Licensed Trade News) Mixologist of the Year for Scotland (an award that I’m nominated for this year as well along with Craft Spirit Enthusiast). This year, so far, I’ve won the Old Forester UK final which resulted in spending time in Kentucky learning about bourbon, was named as one of the five UK winners of Disaronno’s international Mixing Star competition which will see me featured in a book for release later this year and spend time with Gabriel Boudier in Dijon at the start of the year after winning the Scottish final of their Wizard Competition.
HISTORY of GIN
1100’s AD Distillation originated in the Arab world moving to Europe in the middle ages through Moors and their rule of Sicily. It is thought that Benedictine monks in Salerno, Italy used this knowledge as a way to preserve medicinal plants.
1572 Professor Sylvius De Bouve is credited with creating what is now referred to as genever – a neutral distilled spiirt flavoured with juniper and malt wine.
1560 Juniper flavoured spirits emerge in the low countries (Belgium, Holland and parts of Northern France)
1689 William of Orange from Holland becomes King William III of England. He started banning French imports including trendy Brandy; genever and gin fill the void
1573 Bulus family set up their distillery in Amsterdam, in the process also shortening their name to the more Dutch sounding Bols
DAFFY’S Daffy’s Gin 1 Rutherland Square, Edniburgh EH1 2AS www.daffysgin.com
This is my favourite gin bottle on the market at the moment! I love the style and finish of it. I can’t make up my mind who the female looks like though I’m thinking either Debbie Harry or Michelle Pfeiffer what do you think? Any way back to the contents. Daffys is truly original gin that has a smooth yet fresh finish. The botanicals have all been selected to complement the Lebanese mint. They include juniper, citrus, fruits all in a delicate balance to make this a well rounded and fruit yet spicey gin. Pour over some ice, add a splash of tonic and enjoy!
MY NOTES
HARRIS Harris Distillery Tarbert Isle Of Harris HS3 3DJ
www.harrisdistillery.com
Harris Gin could be described as the beast from the deep, however there is very little beast like about this fresh Gin. It’s flavours are distinctly oceanic due to the inclusion of the hand dived sugar kelp that is one of the pivotal ingredients in this unique drink. The kelp in blend with the other botanicals give this Gin a coastal yet woody flavour and aromatic notes. There are nine other botanicals in there though giving sweet, floral and fruity notes. Can you spot them?
MY NOTES
THE BOTANIST Bruichladdie Isle Of Islay Argyll PA49 7UN
www.bruichladdich.com
Imagine the scene, close your eyes, you can smell the peat , you’re struggling to stand up against the winds and the salty Atlantic Ocean spray is battering your face. You are an Islay forager. You are collecting botanicals for the spectacular Botantist gin: A complex blend of 31 aromatics and Botanicals, hand picked by foragers on Islay to be simmered in the still affectionately known as “Ugly Betty” to produce an exotic and sensual end product. Betty likes to operate low and slow taking 17 hours to produce her distillate, although this does give an amazing result! The gin is distinctively floral and epitomises Islay in every dram.
MY NOTES
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