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July 20, 2016

From the launch of their core gin range last year to last month’s unveiling of their Scottish cider brandy, Strathearn Distillery always have something interesting up their sleeves.

Their latest wheeze is to have developed distillery strength versions of their four core gins. Each is bottled at 60.5% ABV. Regrettably, we have yet to conduct extensive research into these claims. However, we are told that this level of alcohol by volume makes it the strongest gin range in the UK.

Veteran readers of the 5pm Dining blog may recall that there was a storm in a schooner a few years ago when BrewDog and various other brewers entered into an ABV arms race with each company trying to do out do the others in terms of creating the world’s strongest beer.

Perfect for cocktails

Strathearn Distillery have purer motives at heart. Rather than simply trying to garner a few headlines, the rationale behind their distillery strength gins was to create spirits which would work well as cocktails.

Distillery Strength Strathearn Oaked Highland Cask Gin.
Distillery Strength Strathearn Oaked Highland Gin.

Apparently, an export client in northern Europe asked them to make spirits in which the delicate flavours of Streathearn’s handcrafted gins were accentuated. Happily, the high strength and potent flavours make for the ideal cocktail base.

The four distillery strength flavours available are the classic Juniper, the celebratory Heather Rose, the Cask Strength Oaked Highland and the zesty Strathearn Citrus Gin.

Tony Reeman-Clark, Founder of Strathearn Distillery said: ‘We toyed with what we would call the range. Scotland doesn’t have a navy so we didn’t want to name it Navy Strength so Distillery Strength seems most appropriate. We tweaked and developed the recipe so that they held true to their lower-strength versions but at the same time had their own character.

How strong?

‘Finally there was only one question, how strong? One of the team turned to me and asked how old I was and suggested the gin should be as strong as my age… so the gin become 60.5% ABV. The strongest gin in the UK.’

The range of Distillery Strength gins will be available to buy in specialist retailers and on the Strathearn website. Available in 50cl size, each bottle costs £40. The distillery’s tasting notes are below.

Established in 2013, Strathearn Distillery is the first traditional single cask distillery to commence production in over 100 years. They use two small copper stills to create individual batches of spirit.

Production began in the October of 2013, with their first cask being filled with Strathearn new-make spirit. After three years of maturation, the first Scotch whisky will be released before the end of this year.

Tasting Notes

Strathearn Juniper Distillery Strength Gin

As its name suggests, this latest gin from Strathearn is strongly juniper-led, and with the added alcohol, even more intense. Amazingly smooth, sweet to start and then the drink switches to a light peppery mouthfeel which is followed by a light sherbet finish as the citrus develops.

Strathearn Heather Rose Distillery Strength Gin

Like its lighter sibling, this is a celebration gin, ideal as an aperitif, for a special occasion or as an everyday treat. Like the standard Heather Rose, it turns a delicate rose pink when topped up with tonic. Top it up with a shot of Prosecco for an instant strong cocktail. Fragrant, floral and light, sweet yet spicy.

Strathearn Citrus Distillery Strength Gin

The extra strength adds a new dimension to a gin which is already buoyant with added elements of zest, herbs and spices combined with a hint of Italian lemons and Spanish grapefruit. The kaffir lime leaves and star anise are gentle and very subtle.

Strathearn Oaked Highland Distillery Strength Gin

Where cask strength whisky meets cask strength gin – a smooth, lightly oaked with juniper notes, hints of citrus accented by vanilla and subtle smokiness. A light golden colour helps to provide the disguise. Designed as an after-dinner gin, like a digestif to be sipped and savoured.