The first snowdrops of the season, the occasional green bud on the trees and the first gin festival press release in the inbox - it must be spring!
To be honest, we are delighted that our first gin festival press release has arrived. It means that the nights will soon be getting lighter and the only time we need to worry about ice is when we think we don't have enough to properly chill a Martini.
So it is with a genuine sense of warmth that we say Hello to the Big Big Gin Festival taking place at The Edinburgh Corn Exchange on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April.
We realise that the event is almost two months away but the general admission tickets for the Saturday session are already sold out.
The festival won the Scottish Gin Event of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards last year and the organisers are keen to keep ahead of the pack.
New cocktail bar area
April's shindig will see the festival unveil a brand new cocktail bar area as well as a host of new names on the listings to shake things up a little.
Whether you’re fan of a classic G&T, or you’re up for tasting something decidedly more experimental, head along to sip and savour the freshest concoctions from the likes of Boe Gin and Brockmans Gin in the new cocktail bar area.
Then you may wish to head along to the Meet the Makers area and enjoy samples from leading makers and craft distilleries.
Naturally, there will be lots of big brands showing off their wares but possibly lesser known brands on display include Fukang Gin, Glaswegin (best gin brand name ever?), Kopparberg Gin, Lunun Gin, Poetic License Distillery, Rule Gin, South Loch Gin, Spirit O Clyde, Tobermory Gin, and Whitetail Gin.
VIP Terrace
The October edition of the Big Big Gin Festival saw the opening of a brand-new and exclusive VIP terrace area which, following its unprecedented popularity, will return in April 2020.
The two-day event will also play host to a range of must-see masterclasses, workshops and demonstrations. Plus, there’ll be face-painters for that extra fun factor, fabulous food to savour, live music to add to the festival atmosphere, and selfie walls and a photobooth to capture the memories.
Looking ahead to the fifth edition of the show, the owner of the Edinburgh Corn Exchange and creator of the Big Big Gin Festival, Paul DeMarco, commented; ‘The Big Big Gin Festival is now officially the best Scottish gin event of the year, so we understand visitor expectations will be high.
'Thankfully, we’ve got a whole host of fantastic names on board, from well-established big brands to exciting new emerging makers!’
The Big Big Gin Festival will take place at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on:
Saturday 25th April 2020: Afternoon Session, noon-5pm
Saturday 25th April 2020: Evening Session, 7pm-midnight
Sunday 26th April 2020: Afternoon Session, noon -5pm