Now they venture out into the wilds of the Hebridean island to collect ingredients for their unique home brew. Described as “smooth and vibrant” it has a fruity and spicy nose and a deeply pleasing finish. DUNDEE: VERDANT GIN

Tours need not be pre-booked; however, we highly recommend that reservations are made in advance. Walk-in visitor spaces on our Tours operate on a first come first served basis so booking in advance will avoid disappointment. 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 We’re delighted to be launching another collection of quality artisan Scottish gins through our now-famous annual festival, allowing us to showcase craft gins distillers to shoppers across the country, many for the first time, offering unrivalled value and a journey of discovery for gin lovers in Scotland.” The gins

We have been working closely with some of the finest distilleries across the UK to offer our customers the best premium gins at fantastic value," says Paul McQuade, Head of Spirits Buying at Lidl UK. "We are incredibly proud to be launching the first British Craft Gin Festival, enabling us to push the boundaries of innovation in craft gin." With their bespoke bottle launching in the summer of 2020, The Pentland Still Distillery made a significant investment in their brand. For a small distillery, it shouldn’t go understated. The brothers have been so successful with the launch of their distillery that they've already set up a crowdfunder in a bid to expand. DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: HILLS AND HARBOUR Distilled in Leith, the Edinburgh port has a long history with gin. Achroous uses botanicals such as liquorice, fennel seed and Sichuan.

Taking inspiration from Norse mythology, Hrafn Gin is the brainchild of two brothers – Callum and Peter Sim. The award-winning Valhall Gin is their ultra-premium expression and the higher strength sibbling to Thought & Memory – both of which have beautiful sweet mandarin as their signature botanical. The wildcard on this list has to be McQueen Gin, the Callander produced spirit that offers some of the strangest flavoured gins we have come across. Julian Vallis says:“Tobermory throws the notion of a traditional gin out the window and just lets the malty base shine through with absolutely no effort to hide the fact this comes from a whisky distillery. We support the Scottish Government’s Zero Tolerance campaign towards drinking & driving, and recommend visitors who intend to consume alcohol arrive on foot, or by public transport. Using small batches of pure grain spirit which are triple distilled for smoothness, the gin is created using the distillery's unique Copper Berry Chamber, which was made in the 1920s.

Biggar Strength GiN

Julian Vallis says:“I like Achroous because of it breaking the mould by being a ‘sessionable’ gin with an Old Tom character, despite it having no added sugar. One of Scotland's smallest commercial distilleries, Strathearn produce four main gins currently; the Classic, the Citrus, the Heather Rose gin and the Oaked Highland gin. Made with 17 botanicals including its signature ingredient, carageen seaweed (also known as Irish moss), foraged on the island, Barra Atlantic Gin helps transports you to the Outer Hebridean island – and the most westerly distillery in the country. It is infused with five Celtic botanicals (including Coul Blush Apple and Bog Myrtle), six traditional botanicals and Scottish spring water. Caorunn gin is hand crafted by Balmenach's Gin master who personally oversees every step of the process. • READ MORE: New library of Scottish botanicals aims to help Scottish gin distillers and boost exports ST ANDREWS: EDEN MILL ORIGINAL GIN Picture: The Whisky Exchange Nestled below the stairs of Rutland Place in the capital, sits their original gin distillery, while their second is housed in the Biscuit Factory in Leith.

Disclosure: Katie was previously sent a miniature of Biggar Strength Gin, but was so impressed she bought a full bottle after tasting!From classic London dry style to fruit flavoured, the festival showcases a collection of unique spirits at great value prices for shoppers to try at home, including Esker Scottish Raspberry Gin and CeroCero Citrus Non Alcoholic Botanical Spirit.

There is no BS here and with that I would opt for a no BS Negroni that puts a big cheeky grin on my face!” Glasgow's first whisky distillery in over a hundred years is making its mark not just in the world of whisky but also in the world of gin. Carrying on the tradition of whisky distilleries creating great small batch gins.However, it’s those gin distilleries in our little corner of the world that are making some big waves.