Distillery launches its own school of gin

Isle of Skye Distillers has announced the launch of its brand-new gin school. The Portree-based distillery, producers of Misty Isle Gin and Tommy’s Gin, opens its doors to visitors today, Monday 27 August. The first experience of its kind on the island, Isle of Skye Distillers’ Gin School features six mini stills, accommodating groups of…

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You can now create your own gin at Scots distillery

Visitors to a Scottish gin school can create their own recipe from a selection of botanicals and distil a 70cl bottle of gin to take home. Darnley’s Gin has added a ‘Distil Your Own’ experience to its tour offering, inviting visitors to Darnley’s Gin School to create their own recipe from a selection of botanicals…

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Distillery set to move after just two successful years

A distillery that has been on the go for two years has already been such a success that it’s looking to expand. The Dornoch Distillery was constructed in constructed in 2016 following a successful initial crowdfunding round which saw 250 whisky lovers from all over the world invest in a bid to secure hotly anticipated…

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Family go from sourcing gin to making their own

A Scots family has put its expertise in running a gin establishment into creating its own brand. The family behind the iconic Gin Emporium, Smithies Deli, in Arbroath, is to put its intimate knowledge of the gin industry to good use with the launch of its own gin brand, Smithies Gin Company. Smithies Gin Company…

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No end in sight to the renaissance of our love of gin

The ‘Ginaissance’ of a popular spirit has continued, with the opening of 18 new distilleries in Scotland. The demand for niche craft spirits brands response continues to grow, says UHY Hacker Young, the national accountancy group, with 39 opening across the UK. The UK’s spirits industry is benefiting from this global trend amongst consumers to…

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Winners are in good spirits after honours revealed

Scottish spirits were the toast of the International Wine & Spirit Competition. An incredible 502 spirits produced in Scotland collected awards, in gold, silver and bronze categories. Click here for the A-D winners, here for the E-G winners and here from H-O. GOLD Royal Brackla 12 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Gold 2018 in Whisky…

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Awards show spirits industry is alive and kicking

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has honoured a total of 502 Scots spirits. The competition began when wine chemist Anton Massel founded Club Oenologique in 1969. Massel had the idea of creating a wine and spirit competition which was based not just on organoleptic judgement but where all entries also had to undergo chemical…

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Scotland has a stupendous selection of spirits

Scotland’s fine spirits were the toast of the world at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Entries are received from nearly 90 countries worldwide and each sample is judged according to its class and treated with the same care and consideration in the IWSC’s dedicated tasting premises. The IWSC sets the international benchmark for quality…

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Congratulations to Scotland’s winners at drinks awards

Scotland’s spirits are well-known across the world for their quality – and this week they have been officially recognised. Hundreds of drinks produced in Scotland – including whisky and gin have taken gold, silver and bronze awards at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. The competition is now in its 49th year. The original aim…

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A festival of gin is now underway in Scotland

A festival of gin is currently underway in Edinburgh – and it’s bigger and better than ever. Nicholson’s Gin Fest has returned for its third year, which started on 16 July and this year is showcasing an extensive range of 40 rare, premium and limited-edition batch gins across the 77-strong estate. Celebrating Nicholson’s long-standing historical…

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