They’ve also recently created some excellent limited edition gins including one for the Up Helly Aa festival. SPEYSIDE: CAORUNN GIN Based in Aberdeenshire, Little Brown Dog Spirits was founded by Andrew Smith and Chris Reid. Their flagship gin, LBD, is a newcomer to the Scottish gin scene, launching in May 2020. From classic London dry style to fruit flavoured, the festival showcases a collection of unique spirits at great value prices for shoppers to try at home, including Esker Scottish Raspberry Gin and CeroCero Citrus Non Alcoholic Botanical Spirit.

The Ginasium says:“I first came across this Verdant Gin at a show in London where Andrew gave a talk that captured his enthusiasm… a mix of old tradition and innovation. It’s a dry gin reflecting its one-shot method, but the botanicals and distilling of the raw spirit have produced a juniper-forward silky smooth spirit with a lovely but curious immediate sweetness, which is followed by a peppery warmth and finish. Shetland Reel Simmer Gin is one of three ‘core’ gins produced at Saxa Vord Distillery by distiller Mark Turnbull. At 49% ABV it’s on the stronger side, and contains botanicals including orange peel, liquorice root and cumin. Julian Vallis says:“Tobermory throws the notion of a traditional gin out the window and just lets the malty base shine through with absolutely no effort to hide the fact this comes from a whisky distillery. Juniper led on the nose, it is described as having “fresh notes of citrus on the nose and palate with warm, earthy undertones of spice”. Included in the carefully curated blend of botanicals, which was inspired by Dundee’s rich trading history and reflects the routes once sailed by traders to and from the city, are Grains of Paradise, Bitter orange and Liquorice. EAST LOTHIAN: NB GIN Picture: NB GinThe juniper is beautifully balanced, and lingers purposefully behind those bold red fruits, with suggestions of a rich and warming sweet spice. It works brilliantly as a G&T, with a fresh raspberry garnish. The tonic pulls forward a little more sweetness, whilst maintaining the strong raspberry flavour, putting a delicate and floral touch on a classic. The pair have focused their gin production on the adage that 75 per cent to 95 per cent of a gin’s flavour profile is based on smell, creating a Zesty Citrus Gin, a Herby & Aromatic one and their Sweety and Nutty Old Tom Gin. ROYAL DEESIDE: ESKER GIN The surprise recipient of the first ever Scottish Gin of the Year award (2017), this small batch gin from Dundee beat out contenders from more established producers such as Makar, Eden Mill and Edinburgh Gin to take the top award. 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. Barra natives, Michael and Katie Morrison founded Isle of Barra Distillers in 2017. Originally contract distilled, the husband and wife team realised their dream of bringing distilling to their remote and beautiful island home in 2019.

One of Scotland's smallest commercial distilleries, Strathearn produce four main gins currently; the Classic, the Citrus, the Heather Rose gin and the Oaked Highland gin.

Garden Shed Gin

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. The distillery is a controlled working and manufacturing environment, and you should exercise due care and attention on the tour. Distillery staff may draw your attention to specific health & safety procedures to which you must adhere. If the fire alarm sounds during your tour the tour guide will direct you to the nearest exit and muster point.