Edinburgh Gin to build multi-million-pound distillery

Edinburgh Gin has announced plans for a new multi-million-pound distillery in Edinburgh’s city centre, which will include a sensory experience detailing the history of gin-making and offer visitors the chance to make their own gin.

Artists impression of the new visitor centre and distillery

The development includes acquisition of large-scale premises on East Market Street, in the heart of the city’s historic ‘Old Town’, and will allow Edinburgh Gin to welcome over 100,000 visitors through its doors each year. It will replace its current visitor experience in Edinburgh’s West End, where its distillery is also based, with the new premises set to increase the brand’s production capacity by over 200%.

First-stage plans for the three floor premises (total area is 1,357m2) include a glass-fronted entrance providing a street-side view of the state-of-the-art stills, a stunning rooftop terrace featuring Edinburgh Gin botanicals and private gin tasting rooms.

“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the evolution of Edinburgh Gin,” said Neil Mowat, UK marketing director of Ian Macleod Distillers. “As the ‘No.1 super premium gin brand in the UK’, Edinburgh Gin is in high demand and this investment is our commitment to continued innovation and growth.

“Working with local businesses including Staran Architects and Contagious, we are confident this will be a stunning distillery that offers a gin experience quite unlike any other.”

Edinburgh Gin was launched in 2000, and acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers in 2016, with its second distillery opened shortly after at the Biscuit Factory in Leith in 2016.

Its core portfolio includes: Edinburgh Gin (ABV 43%), Seaside Edinburgh Gin (ABV 43%), and Cannonball Edinburgh Gin (ABV 43%), alongside its gin liqueur range, which includes: Raspberry (ABV 20%); Elderflower (ABV 20%); Rhubarb & Ginger (ABV 20%); Plum & Vanilla (ABV 20%); and Pomegranate & Rose (ABV 20%).