North Uist Distillery has announced the release of the island’s first ever gin.
Crafted on Scotland’s outermost Hebridean islands, the gin, named Downpour, has been created to capture the spirit of island life.
Distinguished by its wild Hebridean heather and citrus content, the gin also has a very special characteristic – turning cloudy when met by tonic.
The only Scottish gin on the market to fully embrace the spirit’s natural clouding effect, it comes as the result of the ‘downpour’ of essential oils in botanicals.
North Uist Distillery is run by two North Uist natives, master distiller, Jonny Ingledew and creative director, Kate MacDonald. The pair returned to the island with the dream of creating outstanding artisan spirits.
Downpour is the first release from the distillery, located in the north west of the island.
Mr Ingledew said: “Downpour has a bold flavour and packs a delicious punch – all of the flavour from the essential oils, we use, including the resulting flavour cloud, has been retained.
“The flavour is bold in taste but the gin is still a classic juniper Scottish dry gin. There is no mistake that it’s a gin and we are very proud of that.”
Ms MacDonald continued: “We both grew up in Uist, so it’s important to us that each bottle is distilled, bottled and labelled on the island to enable the business to have a long-term benefit for people here.
“We have been overwhelmed by the encouragement and support we’ve been shown and Uist will be at the heart of all of our decision-making as we develop the distillery.”
Downpour is best served classically with a premium tonic and a citrus twist, built over cubed ice in a hi-ball glass.
Downpour, retailing at £38 per bottle, available from North Uist Distillery website.
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