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This 5pm Dining scribbler has always liked Hendrick’s Gin.

William Grant and Sons gave the entire gin category a big boot up the bahookie when they launched the brand in 1999 and their witty, retro Victoriana marketing has proved equally as influential over the years.

Oh, and its cucumber and rose flavours are also rather refreshing during the stickier months of the year.

And few places in Scotland are stickier than Edinburgh in August.

Carnival time

For the second year running, the Hendrick’s Carnival Of Knowledge is aiming to add a little sophisticated cool to proceedings in the capital.

From today until Sunday, the gin has once again taken up residence at One Royal Circus in Edinburgh.

Billed as ‘a unique travelling parlour of enlightenment’, the carnival has moved into this spectacular New Town flat and transformed it into a gin-themed wonderland.

Your blogger was there last year and stepping through the door is rather like falling down a gin-scented rabbit hole.

Well stocked cocktail bar

Visitors are promised ‘four days of intellectual sustenance and libatory stimulation’ thanks to a program of unusual events and a very well stocked cocktail bar.

You can see the entire program from here. We liked the sound of Saturday’s Guerilla Science schedule.

Who could say no to a jelly brain dissection or an event titled ‘a bizarre look at zombies I have known and loved’?

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