CHRISTMAS LISTS - Best Scottish Gins
Do you find that the older you get the harder it becomes to buy Christmas presents for your family and friends? We live in a society now that should we want something, we usually buy it ourselves. Gone are the days really, of saving for a year to purchase that something special (I’m not talking holidays or something completely lavish) or waiting for Christmas when mum, dad, hubby, wife, partner, kids would get it for you.
My presents are more about experiences and of course the gift of food and drink. I think most of my friends and family appreciate a nice bottle of something, knowing that they can enjoy it throughout the Christmas holidays, New Year and the following year if they don’t swig it down it on Boxing Day!
Here are my top Scottish gins, in no particular order as they all have a place on my gin shelf.
Glaswegin
Their original is full of zing and now they’ve released the Raspberry & Rhubarb which is utterly delicious. Their base botanicals include Milk Thistle, Pink Peppercorns and Chamomile Flower.
Location : Glasgow
Cost : £39.00 www.glaswegin.com
Lamps, Tote Bags, Soap and glasses also available from their shop.
MY TOP 10 BEST SCOTTISH GINS TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Barra Gin
This award-winning gin is delicately spicy and crisp made from 17 botanicals including dulcet carrageen seaweed.
Location : Isle of Barra
Cost : £37.00 www.isleofbarradistillers.com
Gift Cards, Chopping boards and candles also available from their shop.
Height of Arrows Gin
Rooted in the whisky making process, this gin strips back all its botanicals to the bare minimum with juniper playing the starring role.
Location : Holyrood Distillery, Edinburgh
Cost : Around £32.00 www.holyrooddistillery.co.uk
Gin and Whisky tours available
McQueen Gin
A great range of flavoured and colour changing gins with the worlds first interactive augmented label.
Location : Callander
Cost : £23.00 www.mcqueengin.co.uk
Also visit their McQueen Gin Emporium in Stirling.
Deerness GIn
Their award winning Sea Glass is packed with warm spices, hints of citrus and of course juniper. They also make and sell vodka and liqueurs.
Location : Orkney Islands
Cost : Sea Glass Gin £36.00 www.deernessdistillery.com
Tours available of the distillery. Contact them directly to book.
Darnleys Gin
All of their botanicals are grown in their Cottage Garden, or foraged nearby or imported from sustainable farmers. They have a classic and a cottage series of gin with Wild Citrus being their latest release.
Location : Kingsbarns
Cost : from £29.00 Cottage Series and £34.00 for Classic Series www.darnleysgin.com
The Darnleys Gin Experience is open in Edinburgh offering tastings, a shop and a bar.
Secret Garden Gin
Everything that goes into their gins is grown onsite at the Secret Herb Garden. They have the most incredible range of floral and herbal gins in Scotland.
Location : Secret Herb Garden, Pentlands, Edinburgh
Cost : from £35.95 www.secretgardendistillery.co.uk
You can also buy soap, honey, tea and blankets from their shop. Tours and tastings can be booked directly with them and they also have gift vouchers available.
Lind and Lime
A stunning bottle containing one hellava lush gin packed with juniper, lime and pink peppercorns.
Location : Leith Distillery, Edinburgh
Cost : £35.00 www.lindandlime.com
Gin Bothy
A wide range of gins that are influenced by the Scottish countryside but this is my favourite, the Gunshot. A drink for the hills, infused with cinnamon, cloves and mixed spices.
Location : Glamis, Angus
Cost : £36.00 www.ginbothy.co.uk
Tastings are available to book as well as gift vouchers for tastings and to spend in the shop.
Hendricks Gin
A favourite of many and available all over the world. Classic Hendricks is exceptional but there are a few more gems in their portfolio.
Location : Girvan
Cost : £31.95 via Amazon link on their website www.hendricksgin.com/uk
Scotland has an incredible wealth of gin distilleries and gin producers. There are so many gins I haven’t tasted yet and many I have run out of.
HARRIS GIN - Recently won Scottish Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards
EDEN MILL - Recently won Product Development Team of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards
DARK ARTS GIN - Recently won Best New Comer at the Scottish Gin Awards
EDINBURGH GIN - Recently won Excellence in Social Media at the Scottish Gin Awards
MAKAR - Finalist in the Berry Flavoured category at the Scottish Gin Awards
LUSSA - Finalist in the Distilled Gin category at the Scottish Gin Awards
MISTY ISLE - Finalist in the Best Pink Gin category at the Scottish Gin Awards
What ever gin you’re drinking these Christmas holidays, enjoy and be sure to tag me on Instagram - www.instagram.com/tartanspoonblog and I’ll share it to my stories.