Scottish gin news is filling our inbox at a rate of knots.
The latest ginfo comes from Edinburgh’s Summerhall Distillery. The makers of Pickering’s Gin have partnered with five-star visitor attraction The Royal Yacht Britannia, to create Britannia Gin – an exclusive, small batch gin which is distilled especially for the ship.
Over the course of 44 years at sea, Britannia travelled 1,087,623 nautical miles and called at more than 600 ports in 135 countries.
Britannia Gin takes its inspiration from the ship’s journeys and is flavoured with a unique balance of sixteen botanicals, all associated with ports which Britannia visited.
Scottish botanicals
The gin takes the familiar Scottish botanicals of juniper; heather and bog myrtle as her Scottish link and marries them with a selection of botanicals from around the globe.
Citrus representing the Caribbean; eucalyptus leaves and lemon myrtle in a nod to the Antipodes; Greek inspired orris root; liquorice root reflecting the USA; angelica inspired by Norway; coriander representing northern Africa; Maltese inspired Blood Orange; pepper inspired by India; cloves reflecting Burma; lotus root inspired by China and finally, rose petals to celebrate her 1977 UK tour for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
A million miles in a glass
Billed as ‘a million nautical miles in a glass’, the spirit is said to be a citrus-led, sweet and slightly spicy gin.
Britannia Gin now sits in pride of place in the Sun Lounge, reportedly the Queen’s favourite spot on the ship. Marcus Pickering, co-founder of Summerhall Distillery, remarks, ‘We’re thrilled about our partnership with Britannia. It’s an iconic visitor’s attraction that draws people from all over the world to Edinburgh’.
Britannia Gin is available now in 70cl and 5cl sizes for £35.99 and £5.99 respectively, from Britannia’s Gift Shop on the second floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre in Leith. It’s also available through the Britannia website.
Pickering’s Gin Terrace
As regular readers will know, the Summerhall Distillery also produces a bespoke, small batch gin, One Square, named after the restaurant and bar at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa.
Last month, the 5pm Dining blog told you about the launch of the Pickering’s Gin Terrace at One Square.
They have planned a summer of gin-flavoured events and there is one taking place on Saturday.
Martini Master Class
7pm-8pm, Saturday 23rd July, £20 per person
Learn the history of the Martini with some tasty examples to boot. The class will look at the history of the Martini, its predecessors and various techniques to teach people how to make their perfect martini. Each person will get a flight of Martini samples – using the Marvellously Mixed Martini Maker.
