As for the imminent future, McQueen Gin is in the process of entering the export market, with Australia, USA, and China among key earmarked locations. The launch of the new facility and its increased capacity means that such growth is now within reach for this ambitious young distillery, as they look to bring their adventurous spirits to a wider audience. Following the official opening, attendees of the launch event were treated to an exclusive tour of the new facility. The Scottish Gin Awards 2021 finalists have been announced, with 67 producers and 223 gins progressing to the final stage of the anticipated awards night, which this year will be a hybrid virtual and in-person event. Coconut & Lime GinA tropical infusion that captures a perfect balance of exotic coconut with zesty lime. The formal opening of the new distillery is an opportunity to recognise the vision of the co-owners and the hard-work and dedication of the staff, and I look forward to seeing greater success as McQueen expands into markets around the world.”

Persie Gin is made by the hard-working partners Chrissie and Simon who also run the long-established Gin Club Scotland.Now they venture out into the wilds of the Hebridean island to collect ingredients for their unique home brew. Made using 100 per cent malt barley spirit following a long series of experiments with different botanicals, the gin is refreshing with a heavy hit of citrus followed up by notes of Scottish pine and the spice of pink peppercorn. ARBROATH: ARBIKIE KIRSTY'S GIN This versatile spirit can be enjoyed over ice with premium tonic or shaken in a martini and is the perfect addition to any gin lover’s collection. We’re delighted to bring another one of our adventurous gins to Morrisons shelves across the UK, it really is the ‘cherry on top’ of our fantastic range.” Four new taste categories have been created in the programme with new awards presented for Best Pink Gin, Best Festive Gin and the Flavoured Gin category has been split with new categories for Citrus and Berry Flavoured. The most popular taste category is still London Dry Gin of the Year with 47 gins in the finals.

Standing out in the Atlantic on the far western edge of Scotland, you’ll find our home, our distillery. Distilled and bottled on the remote Scottish Island of Barra, our gin has a piece of our home in each bottle. McQueen Gin is known for its meticulous distillation process, which includes the careful selection of botanicals to create distinct and daring flavours. They use a traditional copper still, which is often considered essential for producing the finest gins due to the way it removes impurities and imparts a smoothness to the final product. Edinburgh’s first gin distillery in 150 years has a lot to live up to, but with a great location - Summerhall distillery - it already looks well on its way to making its mark. Drink gin, feel good about yourself – and not just from enjoying the gin but also from the fact that when you do so you’ll be helping a bundle of charities into the bargain. It’s great to work with a team who share our mindset and passion for Scottish produce. They and their customers hold true appreciation for the Scottish gin category, along with a strong desire to support innovation and experiment with new flavours and products, which makes for a very fulfilling partnership.”With that option being limited in the current climate, we have enhanced this experience by creating an engaging AR experience on our six core range bottles that people will enjoy sharing across social media.

The opening of this new attraction in such a stunning location will certainly boost the wider region’s tourism offering. It is important that we continue to encourage new investment in tourism businesses such as distilleries which benefit from visitors’ love of Scottish gin, as well as the surrounding towns and villages, with the creation of new jobs and increasing visitor spend. READ MORE: Scottish business set-up to promote Scottish Gin establishes International Scottish Gin Day 2019They’ve also recently created some excellent limited edition gins including one for the Up Helly Aa festival. SPEYSIDE: CAORUNN GIN He offers a free consultation to establish how he may add growth value. Having established that he can help, the initial engagement will be for 5 days, resulting in a detailed deliverable growth plan, which he can go on to help deliver if required. For lasting and sustainable results, he could act as a monthly part time member of your leadership team. It doesn’t stop there, last year the Distillery launched its Navy Strength Gin – Electra). Named in honour of Head Distiller Phil’s Grandfather (who served aboard the destroyer HMS Electra until he and the ship were lost in 1942) the gin has recently been awarded a Silver Medal at the London Spirits Competition and a Bronze Medal at the World Gin Awards. Pretty good going for a distillery that produces around 500 litres of gin a year!

On the Isle of Jura, Claire Fletcher, Alicia MacInnes and Georgina Kitching came up with the idea during a brain-storming session on how to create interesting jobs for women on the Hebridean island. Mike Kenny, Buying Manager, Spirits, Morrisons UK, said: “We’re proud to work with an innovative company like McQueen Gin as we’re always looking for unique products to add to our range. It is an all- island final as four Hebridean distilleries are in contention for the top award of the night, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Contract Bottlers Glasgow Ltd.

‘Irresponsible’

At the heart of the business is an ethos of sustainability, Phil & Tabatha who own and run the distillery have sought to create a environment that allows the gin to be created, bottled and distributed in a way that has a minimum impact on the land around the distillery and the environment. Beginning life in October 2015, Stirling Gin is making steady progress in the sea of Scottish gin competitors and gaining recognition as one of the best new examples of the spirit around at the minute. This ripple effect means that tourism is more than a holiday experience, it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community.” On top of that it’s a great gin, with orange, myrtle, heather, cardamom and cloves all being used as botanicals to create a gin that’s big on flavour but highly accessible. FIFE: DARNLEY’S GIN AND SPICED GIN