Come and celebrate the who, what, where and when with 5 Scottish Gin Ambassadors this International Gin and Tonic Day!
Today it’s #InternationalGinandTonicDay. What better way to celebrate than by catching up with a few of the local producers of our fave gin brands. Read on to find out their who, what, when and where when it comes to this timeless and really rather delicious refreshment. Remember, he or she who dares gins…..!
The Glasgow Gin
Fave way to garnish a gin & tonic?
Glasgow Gin really shines with a simple lime wedge and most tonic waters! But for something a bit more special a good chunk of fresh pear can really enhance the sherbet flavour and feels a little more posh.
Fave place to drink it?
Helping/hindering my chances at the pub quiz at Gallus on Dumbarton Road; in some tasty cocktails at Metropolitan in Merchant Square; with some great food and interesting beers at Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen in Ashton Lane… or at home after a long day of meetings.
Fave people – who do you love to share the joy of your gin with?
It’s always a total joy to share Glasgow Gin with self-professed “Gin Haters”, and even people who say they’ve never even tried gin before! We usually sample Glasgow Gin with an option of Irn-Bru as well as tonic, because tonic can be a bit devisive on the palate. Watching people finding new flavours to enjoy and becoming a “Gin Convert” is a really great experience!
Fave thing your gin makes you do?
It makes me pay close attention to The Duke at Royal Exchange Square! Whether he’s got 9+ cones on his heid, a floral bouquet on his bunnet or a rainbow-painted pride cone on, I always look up and get a smile when I pass and see what Glasgow’s most unlikely style icon is sporting on any particular day!
Fave gin based experience in Scotland?
Gotta keep this one close to home and say the Gin71 group in Glasgow. Their two long-standing bars on Renfield Street and Virginia Court are great, and their latest endeavour in House of Fraser on Buchanan Street is such an ideal place to enjoy a gin journey! Not to mention the amazing Gin Spa, which runs underneath the Virginia Court bar – it’s a world first, and a total treat for the senses. We met the Gin Spa lot at an event last year pre-opening, and they were such a lovely bunch. It’s a really brilliant idea which has now been confirmed by their success!
Connect with The Glasgow Gin via:
Instagram – @glasgow.gin
Facebook – @TheGlasgowGin
Twitter- @TheGlasgowGin
Website www.theglasgowgin.com
Isle of Harris Gin
Fave way to garnish a gin & tonic?
Our go-to garnish for Isle of Harris Gin is a juicy slice of red grapefruit, showing plenty of flesh. I like to rim the glass with the grapefruit first, for more aroma, before adding it to the drink. We also recommend adding a few drops of our Sugar Kelp Aromatic Water to the spirit, almost like a liquid garnish, to heighten the maritime notes even further.
Fave place to drink it?
Maybe it’s the island spirit, but our Isle of Harris Gin always seems to taste even better when its enjoyed outdoors. Outer Hebridean weather permitting! Pouring a glass on one of our stunning beaches, with the sound of the sea and the crackle of a campfire… there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Fave people – who do you love to share the joy of your gin with?
The ‘ Social Distillery’ is a real family affair, so it’s always a lot of fun when we get together for an Isle of Harris Gin or two when we’re finally off-duty. It’s amazing to think the spirit in our glass is the result of all that teamwork, it makes it all the more satisfying. My partner John also works at the distillery so it’s always great to toast the end of the working week with him too.
Fave thing your gin makes you do?
Our Isle of Harris Gin has sparked a bit of a gin obsession for me, especially discovering and sampling the work of other people. There are so many creative distillers now making their own special spirits, so our gin makes me want to learn more about what else is out there, what local botanicals they are using and what their own unique story is.
Fave gin based experience in Scotland?
The highlight of this year was attending the Scottish Gin Awards ceremony in September. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the incredible people behind the brands which make up our thriving industry. We also walked away with the coveted Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year 2018 award which definitely made the night a truly gin-based experience to remember.
Connect with Isle of Harris Gin via
Instagram – @isleofharrisdistillers
Facebook – @isleofharrisdistillers
Twitter – @harrisdistiller
Website: www.harrisdistillery.com
EDINBURGH, UK – July 2018: Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin launch their ÔCaorunn Summer GardenÕ at Hotel du Vin Edinburgh which will be open throughout the summer. (Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
Caorunn Gin
Fave way to garnish a gin & tonic?
We love to add wedges of crisp red apple, not just because it adds that all important flash of colour, but because sweet red apple enhances the Coul blush apple botanical that we use to infuse our gin – making your Caorunn & T even more enjoyable.
Fave place to drink it?
Our favourite place to enjoy a Caorunn would be in our Gin Bothy at our Distillery, Balmenach. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a Caorunn & T a few feet away from the stills it was made in.
Fave people – who do you love to share the joy of your gin with?
We love to share a C&T with YOU – the Caorunn fans, the bartenders who chose our gin as an ingredient in their creations and those who have a passion for our Scottish spirit.
Fave thing your gin makes you do?
Our gin lets us connect with people with a passion for our craft and our product. We love hearing what you do with Caorunn – What do you garnish it with? What cocktails do you make with it? Be sure to share all your Caorunn moments with us by using the #CaorunnMoment.
Fave gin based experience in Scotland?
Our favourite Gin based experience in Scotland would have to be a visit and tour at our very own Distillery, in the heart of the Cairngorms. There is no better way to discover first-hand how we craft Caorunn. For those of you that would like to join us you can now book your experience here https://www.caorunngin.com/book-a-tour/
Connect with Caorunn Gin via:
Instagram – @caorunngin
Facebook – @CaorunnGin
Twitter- @CaorunnGin
Website – www.caorunngin.com
McGin
Fave way to garnish a gin & tonic?
If you want to impress your friends at a dinner party but it’s all a bit last minute, we have 3 easy ways for you to do it with McGin: 1) Tonic water, a couple slices of grapefruit and a slice of lemon 2) Tonic water, a rosemary sprigs and a slice of lemon 3) Tonic water, a couple of slices of fresh ginger, a few slices of red chilli and a slice of lemon.
Fave place to drink it?
Anywhere, as long as with friends!
Fave people – who do you love to share the joy of your gin with?
Family and friends
Fave thing your gin makes you do?
Make new friends
Fave gin based experience in Scotland?
Boozy afternoon tea at 26 Hope Street (with McGin) 😉
Connect with McGin via:
Instagram – @mcginglasgow
Facebook – @mcginglasgow
Twitter – @McGinGlasgow
Website – www.mcgin.co.uk
Gin & Mix (made with Ellis Gin – because we like to mix it up a bit)
Fave way to garnish a gin & tonic?
Gin&Mix Cinchona is our equivalent of a Gin&Tonic – it is a long drink which tastes fab with a slice of lime
Fave place to drink it?
Anywhere – as long as its in the sun – so refreshing
Fave people – who do you love to share the joy of your gin with?
Love sharing it with my girlfriends – Gin and gossip
Fave thing your gin makes you do?
Laugh
Fave gin based experience in Scotland?
Love Scotlands local markets, Loch Lomond Shores, Highland Games and Food and Drink events – that have not only Gins but fantastic food to pair
Connect with Gin & Mix via:
Instagram – @ginandmixx
Facebook – @ginandmix
Twitter- @ginandmix
Website – www.ginandmix.com
Share for the love of gin and let us know your favourite Gin experience in Scotland.
From all at Tasting Scotland HQ. Slainte!
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