My goodness the Scottish seem to have been feverishly busy recently.
Building new roads? Nope (well maybe a few I imagine), building nuclear arms to go head to head with a state that will remain nameless? Wrong again.
Well praise the Lord for Scotland as they have had Gin distillers both large, micro, and all sizes in-between, producing the best Scottish Gins of high quality using old fashioned methods, with locally obtained botanicals.
If London is the beating heart of Gin, then Scotland must be some other super-duper vital organ that I cannot quite put my finger on, and certainly not something lame that we can do without if push comes to shove like the appendix, tonsils, or one’s conscience.
So without further ado, and without me banging on too much as you know I like to be a tad minimalist and keep the waffle to a minimum, here are 7 of the best Scottish Gins that you really ought to try right this moment, if not sooner (should you happen to have a DeLorean and 1.21 Gigawatts).
1. Pickering’s Small Batch Edinburgh Dry Gin
• Distiller: Pickerings
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 42%
• Country: Scotland
The Bottle
Squat shaped with wax sealed top makes this a quality looking product.
The Gin
This is a very light Gin, however with depth. It’s crisp with flavours of both citrus and juniper, finally a subtle but noticeable after-kick (think I make have made that word up) of cardamom, coriander & cloves.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, Lemon, Lime, Coriander, Anise, Angelica, Cardamom, Clove and Fennel
A bit of Trivia
The original family secret recipe is based on a handwritten fragment of paper dated July 1947.
Best Served
Pickering’s Gin is best served with ice, tonic water, and a slice of pink grapefruit.
Conclusion
An excellent light Gin that is equally enjoyable simply on the rocks.
Where Best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
2. Arbikie Highland Estate Kirsty’s Gin
• Distiller: Arbikie Highland Estate
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 43%
• Country: Scotland
The Bottle
Solid bottle with a simple design ensures a high calibre feeling product.
The Gin
Fresh floral tones, with blueberries, citrus, juniper. This Gin is made from Arbikie’s award potato vodka responsible for it’s smoothness.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, Kelp, Carline Thistle, Blaeberries (aka Bilberry), angelica, coriander, liquorice and orris.
A bit of Trivia
‘Kirsty’s Gin’ is named after Arbikie’s Master Distiller Kirsty Black.
Best Served
Kirsty’s Gin is best served with ice, tonic water, blueberries, plus a twist of lemon (I prefer just the rind).
Conclusion
A Gin that must be tried for the real taste of the Scottish coast brought out by the Kelp and Thistle.
Where Best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
3. Edinburgh Gin
• Distiller: Edinburgh Gin (Now part of Ian Macleod Distillers)
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 40%
• Country: Scotland
The Bottle
A fine looking Scottish Gin bottle, with its embossed text on the glass and refined label.
The Gin
A crisp and smooth Gin with juniper, pine, floral lavender, plus a hint of citrus.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, orange peel, mulberries, pine buds, lavender, lemongrass, cobnuts, lime peel,
A bit of Trivia
Edinburgh Gin have an excellent Distillery Tour & Visitor Centre.
Best Served
Edinburgh Gin is best served with ice, an orange twist and Fever-Tree Indian tonic water.
Conclusion
A classic London Dry ‘style’ Gin from Scotland that is both excellent on its own or as a premium cocktail base.
Where Best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
4. Rock Rose Gin
• Distiller: Dunnet Bay Distillers.
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 41.5%
• Country: Scotland
The Bottle
One of my favourites. A truly gorgeous ceramic bottle with a screen-printed label. Would certainly make an excellent gift.
The Gin
Initial hit of juniper, then berry due to the blaeberries, hawthorne and rowan berries, finishing off with a liquorice and cinnamon tones
Known Botanicals
Italian Juniper, Rhodiola rosea, Rowan Berries, sea buckthorn, blaeberries, cardamon, coriander seed and verbena
A bit of Trivia
The real boss of the distillery was a dog called George, who was around since the beginning of Rock Rose, now sadly passed away watching everything unfold from doggy heaven.
Best Served
Rock Rose Gin with ice Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water, and curl or two of orange peel for additional citrus.
Conclusion
Both bottle and Gin demonstrate that not a detail was left to chance. Superb.
Where Best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
05. Hendricks Gin
- Distiller: William Grant & Sons
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 44%
- Country: Scotland
- Full Hendrick’s Gin Review
The Bottle
Love this bottle, it’s along the same lines as Monkey 47. A very Gothic/Victorian style bottle that could just as easily be displayed on the shelf in Dr Frankenstein’s laboratory when he created ‘The Monster’.
The Gin
Hendrick’s distills in minuscule batches of only 500 litres for greater control of quality. The inclusion of cucumber certainly explains for the distinctive fresh taste.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, orange peel, yarrow, chamomile, coriander, and infused with Bulgarian rose petals and cucumber
A bit of Trivia
Hendrick’s Gin is actually a combination of two different spirits from two stills.
Best Served
Hendrick’s with ice, tonic water, plus a couple of slices of cucumber to garnish.
Conclusion
A crisp dry Gin with cucumber undertones. Don’t overdo the cucumber garnish as it can overpower.
Where Best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
06. Caorunn Gin
• Distiller: Balmenach Distillery
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 41.8%
• Country: Scotland
The Bottle
Caorunn Gin has a distinctive clear bottle that emphasis its clean ingredients including natural Scottish Water.
The Gin
Clean, crisp, slightly sweet, with floral and citrus tones. Quadruple-distilled (why do it once when you can do it four times!), and is made in small batches. Using natural Scottish Water and 11 botanical ingredients.
Known Botanicals
Juniper Berries, Cassia Bark, Lemon Peel, Coriander Seed, Angelica Root, Orange Peel, Rowan Berry, Bog Myrtle, Heather, Coul Blush Apple, Dandelion Leaf.
A bit of Trivia
Pronounced ‘ka-roon’, this is the Gaelic word for Rowanberry
Best Served
Caorunn with ice, tonic water, & slices of red apple.
Conclusion
Clean and crisp. Sets the standard, making it a great go-to Gin.
Where best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
7. The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
• Distiller: Bruichladdich Distillery
• Alcohol by Volume: 46%
• Country: Scotland
The Bottle
Strikingly bottle with the names of all the botanicals used embossed in Latin on the glass. Very cool indeed.
The Gin
A highly distinctive Gin with an array of floral and juniper tones upfront, then citrus and subtle cinnamon and mint.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, angelica root, apple mint, birch leaves, bog myrtle leaves, cassia bark, chamomile, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, creeping thistle flowers, elder flowers, gorse flowers, heather flowers, hawthorn flowers, juniper berries, lardy’s bedstraw flowers, lemon balm, lemon peel, liquorice root, meadow sweet, orange peel, oris root, peppermint leaves, mugwort leaves, red clover flowers, tansy, thyme leaves, water mint leaves, white clover, wood sage leaves.
A bit of Trivia
Simmer distilled for 17 hours, under very low pressure to get the most from the botanicals.
Best Served
Best severed with ice and Fever-Tree Indian or Mediterranean Tonic Water. I honestly don’t feel you need any garnish at all for this Gin. Just enjoy it’s distinctive flavour.
Conclusion
A complex Gin due to the number of botanicals. Excellent, a must-try, especially for gin beginners.
Where Best to Buy
You can check out prices, customer reviews, plus order online.
Conclusion
So there we have it, 7 of the best Scottish Gins that should be well and truly sampled. The Drinks Geeks particular favourite from this selection was Rose Rock Gin, closely followed by The Botanist. All of them are excellent and are crying out to be in a glass, in your hand.
My ‘take’ on Gin is if you have a favourite one or two and you stick to them, then you are missing out on so may other Gins. I love trying new Gin’s and rarely stick to one. Some favourites come back to time and time again, however Gin tasting is a tasting adventure, and it’s only an adventure if you are trying something new.
Also read: 14 Best American Gin Brands: Exploring USA’s Gin Scene
Where to Buy these Gins Online
You have never had it so good! You can proudly own any of these fabulous top Scottish Gins from the comfort of your home by using the links provided to buy with 100% confidence.
I greatly appreciate you using any of the above links for your Scottish Gin purchases, as the retailer will kindly lavish me with a very small but most welcome commission thus allowing the Drinks Geeks blog to keep producing awesome posts (like the one you are reading right now.
Life tips from The Drinks Geek
Join me on the Gin & Tonic diet…
So far I have lost 2 days.
Well I hope you have enjoyed this review, please leave any alternative Scottish Gin suggestions you may have in the comments area below.
Best Wishes,
Andrew – The Drinks Geek
