From the heart of Speyside to the bottom of your gin glass, Caorunn (pronounced ‘ka-roon’) is named after the Gaelic word for ‘Rowan Berry’. This gin brand has consistently proved that Scotland’s distilling history isn’t confined to whisky.
The best Caorunn gins use 5 locally foraged botanicals; rowan berries, heather, and coul blush apple, dandelion, and bog myrtle to showcase the Highlands vibrant landscape in Scottish gin form.
Best Caorunn Gins
With small-bath production and hand-foraged botanicals, the best Caorunn gins give the authentic taste of the Scottish Highlands.
1. Caorunn Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Caorunn
- ABV: 41.8% (83.6 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Caorunn Gin is the brand’s flagship blend of locally foraged botanicals, including rowan berries, heather, and coul blush apple, dandelion, and bog myrtle.
On The Nose
Fresh, floral, citrusy, with an aromatic sense of cleanliness.
On The Palate
A crisp juniper-forward that evolves into an apple and citrus middle with a slightly bitter edge accentuates the gin’s brightness, concluding with a dry floral finish.
Best Served
An excellent beginner’s gin, Caorunn Gin deserves a classic tonic with a slice of red apple accentuating its essence. An iconic G&T awaits, or even a Corpse Reviver No. 2 cocktail!
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Caorunn Cask Aged
Overview
- Distiller: Caorunn
- ABV: 56% (112 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Gold
Review
Review
Try Caorunn Cask Aged with its rich, creamy, oaky character for gin that marries the traditional with the contemporary.
On The Nose
Citrus, spices, woody undertones, and a whisper of juniper
On The Palate
A melody of vanilla, candied fruit, and contrasting fresh juniper berries play on the tongue. The cask’s presence is felt but doesn’t overpower with toasted caramel, and spices emerge for a lingering finish.
Best Served
Caorunn recommends this beauty with ginger ale. I find in a negroni, the cask’s depth shines. Give it a whirl!
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Caorunn Blood Orange
Overview
- Distiller: Caorunn
- ABV: 41.8% (83.6 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Caorunn’s Blood Orange Gin is a marvellous zesty, citrus gin with a vivacious character and a triumph of taste!
On The Nose
Tangy blood orange, ginger, and hints of juniper.
On The Palate
Orange citrus greets first, trailed by the gin’s botanical complexity of spices and florals. Midway, the zesty tang of blood orange emerges, with hints of earthy roots and a heated finish.
Best Served
I recommend keeping it simple with a quality tonic water and a cheeky slice of blood orange. It’s sunshine in a glass.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Caorunn Scottish Raspberry
Overview
- Distiller: Caorunn
- ABV: 41.8% (83.6 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
A flirtatious gin, Caorunn Scottish Raspberry is summer bottled, full of zest and berry goodness with a likeable tart persona.
On The Nose
Fresh raspberries, tart rowan berry, crisp juniper.
On The Palate
The sweetness of ripe raspberries meets a tangy twist. It’s refreshing, light, and immensely summery. Mid-palate reveals heather and rowan berries, culminating in a tantalising tart finish.
Best Served
In a Summer Cup with fresh raspberries, or go the whole hog and have a Raspberry Clover Club cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Caorunn Highland Strength
Overview
- Distiller: Caorunn
- ABV: 54% (108 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Hold onto your hats; Highland Strength is Caorunn’s robust offering. A bold and powerful 54% ABV gin demands attention much like a Navy strength gin.
On The Nose
Strong juniper notes, black pepper, green notes
On The Palate
It’s juniper-forward, peppery, and resonates with Highland energy. Every sip packs a punch. Its intensity evolves, unveiling a backdrop of earthy botanicals and a strong finish that lingers.
Best Served
A gin of this strength works well in any fancy gin cocktail such as a French 75.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Caorunn Blood Orange
My top pick is Caorunn Blood Orange as it has the right balance of zestiness and tart with a gently spiced lingering finish. It retains the aromas of the Speyside botanicals the original recipe showcases.
Cocktail Ideas
| No. | Gin | Cocktail Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caorunn Gin | Classic Gin & Tonic, Gin Fizz |
| 2 | Caorunn Cask Aged | Cask Aged Negroni, Gin Old Fashioned |
| 3 | Caorunn Blood Orange | Blood Orange Collins, Blood Orange Gin Spritz |
| 4 | Caorunn Scottish Raspberry | Raspberry Gin Mojito, Scottish Raspberry Collins |
| 5 | Caorunn Highland Strength | Highland Gin Punch, Strength & Tonic |
Conclusion
An artisanal product that prides itself on its Highland roots, every drop of Caorunn Gin encapsulates the wild beauty and purity of the region. An enticing dance of hand-foraged botanicals, Caorunn Gin has a story as rich as its flavour.
If you are new to Caorunn, start with their classic offering and slowly work through the collection. I found Caorunn Cask Aged to be a most intriguing gin indeed.
In wrapping up this flavourful expedition, one truth stands tall: the best Caorunn gins tell a tale of the Highland’s grandeur, traditions, and relentless passion for crafting excellence.
Also Read: 4 Best Opihr Gins: A Taste Of The Orient
References
| caorunngin.com/about-us |
| wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan |
| frankpmatthews.com/coul-blush/ |
| treesforlife.org.uk/bog-myrtle/ |
Further Reading
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