New Scottish gin fires up the stills

The UK’s newest gin distillery, which claims to be the most northerly on mainland Britain, is due to begin production next week.

Dunnet Bay Distillers has been set up on Scotland’s Caithness coast near Thurso by Martin and Claire Murray. Having installed their copper pot still, called Elizabeth, and carried out some early trials, the pair plan to make the first batch of Rock Rose gin next week.

Alongside juniper, the gin features an assortment of locally derived botanicals, including the rock rose from which the brand takes its name, sea buckthorn, rowan berries and blaeberries.

Speaking to Herald Scotland, Claire Murray explained: “Each year we will create a new vintage. Our Caithness botanicals are dependent on our climate, resulting in a truly hand crafted gin that will change year on year, but is still undeniably Rock Rose.”

The company aims to produce around 700 bottles per batch, totaling around 10,000 bottles each year. Having sold out its first batch to pre-orders within 48 hours, a second batch is due for release soon after Rock Rose’s official launch on 21 August.

This latest arrival follows confirmation in a recent report from UK distributor First Drinks that the gin boom is maintaining its momentum, being driven primarily by premium expressions and the ongoing emergence of new craft producers to maintain consumer interest.