Shetland Reel Gin - Ocean Sent 70cl

Product Information

The spirits arm of the immensely popular Brewdog brewery has a lot to live up to, and it seems the team behind Punk IPA and the like aren't messing about. Well they are – but mostly with the status quo. Launched in 2017, Hills & Harbour is distilled in the southwest Scotland, and is one of the few grain to glass distilleries in the country – meaning they make their own base spirit from scratch.

Edinburgh’s first gin distillery in 150 years has a lot to live up to, but with a great location - Summerhall distillery - it already looks well on its way to making its mark. The first of several navy strength gins on our list is a relative newcomer to the Scottish Gin scene. Launching in May 2020, Biggar Gin have built on their growing following with the playfully named Biggar Strength. Winner of a silver medal at the London Spirits Competition 2020, it uses the locally foraged hawthorn berry as a key botanical. Distilled in Leith, the Edinburgh port has a long history with gin. Achroous uses botanicals such as liquorice, fennel seed and Sichuan. NB claim that no matter the demand for their product they will only ever produce in small batches to ensure their gin is as perfect as they can make it and remains hand-crafted. Having been part of the Brit awards after party for several years, it’s clear that it’s that not only gin lovers taking notice but also music royalty are too. EDINBURGH: EDINBURGH GIN Picture: Edinburgh GinDescribed as “smooth and vibrant” it has a fruity and spicy nose and a deeply pleasing finish. DUNDEE: VERDANT GIN Julian Vallis says:“I like Achroous because of it breaking the mould by being a ‘sessionable’ gin with an Old Tom character, despite it having no added sugar. On top of that it’s a great gin, with orange, myrtle, heather, cardamom and cloves all being used as botanicals to create a gin that’s big on flavour but highly accessible. FIFE: DARNLEY’S GIN AND SPICED GIN Nic’s Gin & Beer says:“For me, Valhall is quite exceptional. It was designed as a sipping gin, so simply serve over ice and enjoy. It’s glorious, smooth, full of juniper, a little spice and some sweetness from the mandarins… I adore it. I’d happily recommend anything from Hrafn but this is their standout for me. Try it in their Smoked Negroni and prepare to have your mind blown!”

Not only that but it comes in one of the most fantastic spirit bottles we’ve seen. Designed by the team at Stranger & Stranger, the bottle reflects the rolling waves of the Harris coast and carries deliberate imperfections to reflect the rugged nature of the island itself. On the Isle of Jura, Claire Fletcher, Alicia MacInnes and Georgina Kitching came up with the idea during a brain-storming session on how to create interesting jobs for women on the Hebridean island.

The brothers have been so successful with the launch of their distillery that they've already set up a crowdfunder in a bid to expand. DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: HILLS AND HARBOUR The pair use Juniper, Heather, Rosehip, Peppercorn and Citrus alongside Silver Birch Tree sap from trees in the local Kincardine Castle Estate. Esker will be the first Scottish Gin we know of to use Birch Tree sap in its recipe, with the distinctive ingredient giving the new gin a refreshing sweetness; Birch Tree sap is also renowned for its health-boosting properties. So popular they once even had to ration their gin due to having such high demand and they've been named the Gin of the Year by consumers in the annual Scottish Gin Society poll two years running. GLASGOW: MAKAR GIN

McQueen gin really push the boundaries of what you expect from a Scottish gin with flavours like chocolate mint, mocha and smokey chilli. They’ve also recently created some excellent limited edition gins including one for the Up Helly Aa festival. SPEYSIDE: CAORUNN GIN We support the Scottish Government’s Zero Tolerance campaign towards drinking & driving, and recommend visitors who intend to consume alcohol arrive on foot, or by public transport.

Achroous Gin

Created to celebrate Caorunn’s 10-year anniversary, the gin adds fresh raspberries to their famous copper berry chamber for the distillation.

Producing their first small batch of just 200 bottles in 2013, Crossbill are now running at full production, and a good thing too, as demand for their highly acclaimed gin is now taking off. Made using nine botanicals including locally-sourced sugar kelp, which gives the gin its wonderful coastal flavour, and produced using their small copper still – affectionately known as ‘The Dottach’ – this a distinctly interesting gin unlike many you will have tried before. Where Valhalla is a beautiful sipping gin, Thought & Memory is stunning as a longer drink – and it makes a mean G&T.Like Valhalla, Thought & Memory is multi-award-winning, with gold medals at the International Gin Masters (2018 and 2020) and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Should you be interested you can visit the distillery in Edinburgh with guided tours and tastings also available on certain days. EDINBURGH: GINEROSITY GIN Disclosure: Sipping & Styling has previously collaborated with Crafty Distillery, although bought the bottle of their gin herself. Free sample bottle previously provided to From the Gin Shelf for review.