Announcing ... Scottish Rhubarb & Blueberry Gin. 😋 Experience the full flavour of rhubarb in a gin that boasts no added sugar yet sweetened by the jammy notes of blueberry. To answer your question, it's 40% ABV 😇
You may be surprised to learn that this fruit gin contains absolutely no added sugar. You’re sweet enough already right? Celebrating the truly beautiful flavour of locally grown Scottish Rhubarb and Blueberries this gin starts with the recognisable tart notes of rhubarb, complemented with the sweet jammy notes from the blueberries all the while supported by a complex base of warming gin - boasting juniper, liquorice, almond, cassia, black pepper - to name just a few. Perfectly matched with a light tonic, lemonade, or even a cheeky prosecco!
Not only is this gin distilled using premium organic alcohol, but both the rhubarb and blueberries are grown locally here in Scotland and forms around a whopping third of this rare Scottish Gin, made in small batches.
Available online / in-store.
✨️New Gin - 1860 ✨️As a result of exhaustive research into the history of gin, Alan, the Head Distiller, recently uncovered long lost gin recipes contained within a book dating back to 1860! This date falls within the golden times of the Victorian era - known for its contributions to literature, art, architecture, and technological advancements. During this period, there were notable achievements in science, industry, and culture, and it laid the foundation for many aspects of modern society.
Aberdeen Gin - 1860 is a gin recipe adapted from this celebrated era. While respecting the original recipe, we have made some modern-day improvements, such as the use of premium organic neutral grain spirit and the use of the latest in distilling technology and innovation.
This gin is a real treat for those who love Juniper - it's a really ginny-gin boasting high levels of juniper.
Available online / in-store.
Yes, you heard right...Aberdeen....Curry....Gin.
]]>✨Announcing✨ Aberdeen Curry Gin.
Yes, you heard right...Aberdeen....Curry....Gin.
In the vicinity of Aberdeen lies an enchanted castle, within whose ancient walls a marvellously adorned spice cabinet was discovered. Crafted in the 17th century, this exquisite relic served as a repository for rare and exotic spices. In centuries past, the ornate cabinet remained securely locked, its aromatic treasures safeguarded exclusively for the privileged elite, a testament to the opulence of a bygone era.
Today those spices are unlocked and used to flavour a modern treasure – Curry Gin.
Juniper, clove and cardamom provides the introductory notes, soon followed by the floral notes of curry leaves, biscuit-spice of coriander and complex depth of cumin before finally descending into the exotic spice of cinnamon and long warmth of cassia and sichuan pepper.
Curry Gin celebrates the rich and vibrant flavours of exotic spices, sourced from around the world.
Remember to BYONB (Bring Your Own Naan Bread).
Curry Gin is also a long overdue bow of respect to Magnus who, when we first opened the Gin School decided to use not one curry leaf, not two, not three.... but HALF A TUB! It tasted delicious and 4 years later we've never forgot how good it tasted. So we raise a glass to Magnus and to those that have supported us since - it means a lot and we are so grateful. 🥳
Available online / in-store.
The City of Aberdeen Distillery is the only producer of true Aberdeen Gins - the only gin distilled in the city and prides itself on it's authenticity, quality and flavours. All of the gins are crafted with ultra-smooth organic alcohol and made in artisan batches for the best possible flavour.
]]>The distillery entered this years' Great Taste Awards and won big!
The City of Aberdeen Distillery is the only producer of true Aberdeen Gins - the only gin distilled in the city and prides itself on it's authenticity, quality and flavours. All of the gins are crafted with ultra-smooth organic alcohol and made in artisan batches for the best possible flavour.
What did we win?
Both Fresh Gin and Scottish Bramble Gin were awarded 2 stars each.
This is an amazing achievement and we're giving Alan, the Head Distiller, a huge pat on the back.
A newer gin (and customer favourite) to win an award is Thyme for Rosemary Gin (see what we did there?) which won a one star award.
What do the stars mean?
In 2023, there were 14'195 entries, and only 5904 (41.6% of the entries) received an award!
1 star - simply delicious - 4088 products
2 stars - outstanding - 1568 products
3 stars - exquisite - 248 products
So to have won 2 stars for two products is huge - that puts these Aberdeen Gins in the top 11% of products entered, beating a whopping 12'379 other products. Wowee!
What's a Great Taste Producer?
A great Taste Producer is a business that has won Great Taste Awards for 3 years in the last 5 years. That's us - we've been lucky enough to win Great Taste Awards for the last 3 years - but this is the first time we've won 2 stars (let alone for 2 products!)
What is the Great Taste Award?
Great Taste is the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme.
Putting your food or drink to the test with our panel of over 500 experts is a quick way to get honest, straightforward and impartial feedback from chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers. Whether your product receives a 1-, 2- or 3-star accolade, Great Taste stars are highly respected seals of approval.
Why not take a look at our shop and treat yourself or browse the results for the great taste awards?
We love social media and the newest kid on the block is "Threads".
It's a new Twitter-style app by Meta (who own Facebook / Instagram).
Some recent reports at the time of writing suggest there have been over 95 million "threads" (equivalent to Tweets) already and over 70 million signups to date. So it has a real chance to become a Twitter rival, perhaps even a replacement as the go to place for near real-time conversations and short update posts.
More features are planned as the app was seemingly rushed out in order to take advantage of the chaos in the Twitter-sphere. We're looking forward to follower only feeds, DMs, better searches, account switching, a thread-deck and a few bug fixes e.g. crashing when the image you try to upload is too large.
Some of the features are quite enticing. You'll benefit from a 500 character limit on threads (280 on Twitter) and videos are limited to a whopping 5 minutes.
App signup is easy - you simply download the app at threads.net and a few clicks later you are logged in automagically.
So far the community on Threads has been really positive and it feels like a safe place to converse, there's a real buzz about the atmosphere and it's refreshing.
We'll be using Threads to keep everyone up to date on all the exciting news, discuss important topics, raise awareness of local businesses and generally having a laugh.
You can follow us online / via the app.
Our handle is @CityOfAberdeenDistillery.
Or read our Threads here:
https://www.threads.net/@cityofaberdeendistillery
Download the app here:
https://www.threads.net/
Say hello, maybe tell us which gin from the range you prefer or even better yet, why not post an image of you enjoying a City of Aberdeen Distillery gin and we'd absolutely love some cocktail suggestions too!
Scottish Blueberry Gin
Introducing the captivating Scottish Blueberry Gin, an exquisite fusion of flavours that celebrates the rich heritage of Scotland while embracing the allure of nature's bounty. This exceptional gin is meticulously crafted with a harmonious blend of premium ingredients, resulting in a sensory journey like no other.
At its heart lies the luscious essence of succulent Scottish blueberries. These vibrant berries impart a delightful sweetness, awakening the palate with their juicy burst of flavour. Imbued with their natural essence, this gin captures the very essence of summer in the Scottish countryside.
To enhance the blueberry's intrinsic charm, a symphony of carefully selected botanicals are expertly woven into the spirit. Cinnamon and cassia lend their warming embrace, infusing the gin with a tantalising spice that evokes images of crackling log fires on chilly Scottish evenings. Their aromatic dance swirls gently, creating a captivating symphony of taste.
Embracing the spirit of tradition, delicate hints of almond dance gracefully on the tongue. They add a subtle nuttiness that complements the blueberries beautifully, creating a layered profile that delights with each sip.
In a nod to Scotland's culinary prowess, Scottish Oat Flakes are artfully incorporated into the recipe. These time-honoured grains bring a velvety smoothness to the gin. Their presence adds depth and a comforting texture, further enhancing the overall experience.
To complete this symphony of flavors, a touch of black pepper provides a gentle yet invigorating kick. Its subtle heat tingles on the tongue, perfectly balancing the gin's sweetness and adding an unexpected element of complexity. The result is a gin that is both dynamic and harmonious, inviting you to savour each sip as the layers of flavour unfold.
The Scottish Blueberry Gin is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship and passion of Scottish distilling, creating a spirit that encapsulates the essence of Scotland in every drop. Whether enjoyed neat, over ice, or as the foundation for a stunning cocktail, this gin promises an unforgettable journey through Scotland's breathtaking landscapes and rich culinary heritage.
Buy onlineGrapefruit Gin
Introducing Grapefruit Gin, a refreshing gin infused with the vibrant flavours of grapefruit and orange, creating a robust citrus profile. Its invigorating essence is complemented by a subtle peppery note, adding a touch of complexity.
Grapefruit Gin delights with the tangy zest of freshly peeled grapefruit and orange, invoking a revitalizing sensation that awakens the senses. The citrus heart of this gin, brimming with the vibrant essence of grapefruit and orange, delivers a lively burst of flavour, harmoniously blending the two fruits into a captivating symphony.
To add depth and intrigue, a light peppery undertone emerges, gracefully intertwining with the citrus notes. This gentle heat brings an unexpected twist, enhancing the overall experience and leaving a subtle, lingering warmth on the palate.
With every sip of Grapefruit Gin you embark on a refreshing journey through a citrus-inspired oasis. The grapefruit and orange take center stage, their flavours entwined in perfect harmony, while the delicate peppery touch adds a tantalizing complexity.
Indulge in the vibrant allure of Grapefruit Gin where the essence of grapefruit and orange shines, and a gentle peppery accent adds an intriguing layer. Let this gin whisk you away to a world of invigorating refreshment, and savour its delightful citrus symphony with each sip.
Make your own gin at home with this easy to use and fun gin making kit.
]]>The Scottish Gin Jar is now back in stock!
It's a kit that lets you make your own gin at home (up to 2 bottles of gin) - all you need to do is source a bottle of your preferred vodka for each bottle of gin you wish to make.
You'll notice that we've only included one recipe pouch. That's because for your second bottle we've left the creative challenge open to you - source a range of herbs, spices, citrus etc. to make the gin your own.
For the vodka, we'd highly recommend our Aberdeen Vodka which is based on our premium organic spirit. It's an incredibly smooth and sweet base for your gin. Otherwise, we'd suggest choosing a good quality vodka - try various vodkas and see which one you like the most.
To help on your gin making journey it's handy to have a mortar and pestle, for example breaking a wing off a star anise. The "World's cutest" mortar and pestle is a great wee addition to your kitchen.
Step by step instructions are included - it's a very easy and rewarding process.
If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to get in touch and we'll be delighted to help.
Why not share your gin making journey and tag us on social media...
FB / Instagram: @CityOfAberdeenDistillery
Twitter: @abzDistillery
We hope you enjoy your special wee creation! 😁
You may have noticed that we’ve been closed over the last few weeks and many of you have been in touch to ask why? I’m sorry to have to tell you that our Head Distiller, Alan, had suffered a life threatening medical emergency.
It started innocently enough: a headache at the start of April. A few days past and the headache wasn’t improving – it had all the hallmarks of a migraine – but he didn’t normally suffer from migraines. After a week he visited A&E in Aberdeen; they ran a barrage of tests. A doctor approached him and said, “everything checks out…but we think it would be best to run a CT scan”.
The CT scan was done, and then the scan was sent down to Edinburgh for a second opinion. Around 6pm, after a long day in A&E, a doctor gave Alan the news that he had an aneurysm (a bulge on an artery) in his brain and it had burst … his brain was bleeding. He had then become a class one medical emergency.
His family were called and his closest assembled.
He was ambulanced down to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI). There is a specialist unit in ERI for this type of condition - they cover around 2.8 million people along the East side of Scotland. Within an hour of arriving he was on the operating table.
This was a disturbing and frightening experience for his friends and family - around two thirds of people who suffer from this type of bleed either die instantly or are left with permanent disability.
However, Alan is stubborn – he has escaped unscathed and has been gradually returning to full strength!
"I am so grateful to the NHS for their amazing care. Without their quick thinking and expertise, I would not be here today. The staff in Aberdeen’s A&E and Neurosurgery departments and Edinburgh’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences were exceptional, and I cannot thank them enough."
Alan
In conclusion, Alan's story is a testament to the excellent care provided by the NHS. The quick and efficient diagnosis, followed by the urgent transfer to a specialist centre in Edinburgh for treatment, undoubtedly saved his life. The expertise and dedication of the medical teams involved in his care are a shining example of the outstanding service provided by the NHS.
Thank you, NHS, for all that you do.
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
To everyone - thank you for your support
We’d also like to thank everyone for their understanding and support during this time, especially those who were asked to reschedule their booking - your support is genuinely appreciated.
The good news is that the distillery shop is open again, we have freshly distilled batches of gin i.e. Fresh Gin, Lemon and Lime Gin, Scottish Bramble Gin.
The events are slowly resuming with limited events in May but then we’ll be returning to a full service in June.
Click & Collect / Delivery are operating as normal.
UPDATE: Alan is grateful for all of the best wishes. The event schedule has returned to normal. 🥳
Introducing Scottish Rhubarb and Rose Gin - a true Aberdeen Gin - and really really tasty.
Whether you enjoy your gin mixed or simply poured neat over ice - this is sure to impress.
The aroma from the gin is sweet, jammy and tart - it's actually made with one third (!) real Scottish Rhubarb - grown about an hour away from the distillery.
Mixed with a light tonic it's fruity and sweet with notes of jammy rhubarb, counterbalanced by uplifting floral cardamom. The experience concludes with turkish delight flavours from the rose and a long spice from the pink peppercorns. A long lasting impression of rhubarb leaves you ready to welcome the next sip.
Why not try Fever Tree Ginger Ale for that classic combination?
Or if you're feeling adventurous - try your hand at a cocktail and make the Rhubarb Kiss - designed by The Wandering Bartender.
Buy / learn more about Scottish Rhubarb and Rose Gin here.
New gin alert! Introducing Thyme For Rosemary Gin…
Thyme For Rosemary Gin, an Aberdeen Gin, is made using essential garden herbs; uplifting Cardamom and Basil quickly transcends into a crisp and floral experience of Rosemary before gradually making its way into deep woody Thyme for a richly satisfying Mediterranean conclusion.
How strong is the gin?
It's 42% ABV - we believe this is the best strength to carry the flavours.
Why did we create Thyme For Rosemary Gin?
The flavour invokes memories and feelings of summer holidays. Whether you are on the beach soaking the sun, enjoying an evening meal with a warm summer's breeze or exploring the mountains & lakes...Thyme For Rosemary Gin is just a perfect reminder of great times ... and hopefully an inspiration of good times to come.
Wait what? A gin made with garden herbs?
All of the botanicals in this gin you are probably already familiar with. Basil on your tomatoes / pizza / pesto, rosemary for your long cooked Sunday lunch, thyme for Christmas stuffing, cardamom in your rice - these are all flavours we already love, each with very different characteristics, so why not enjoy them in a gin?
Why did this gin take so long to be released?
Herbs give up their flavour really very easily. However, like all good gins (or cakes), the recipe is what makes the gin (or cake) a good gin (or good cake).
We needed to produce dozens and dozens of test batches to get the flavour journey just right. The Chief Gin Taster has been very busy recently!
Now we believe the flavours are balanced just right and it makes for a great drinking experience.
How should one serve Thyme For Rosemary Gin?
We'd recommend a ratio of one part gin, to three parts light tonic water.
If you're looking to maximise the drinking experience, why not try a curl of lemon and a wee sprig of rosemary - that is going to be an amazing overload to the senses.
Where can I purchase Thyme For Rosemary Gin?
The gin is available at the distillery to buy in-person and is also available online (Click & Collect / by post).
The gin is also available as an option for hampers, tasting boxes, personalised tasting boxes and personalised gin.
Enjoy a sample first - pop in and ask for a sample of Thyme For Rosemary Gin.
...then book your summer holidays! :-)
Remember - you can use more than one discount code at checkout.
Save 10% on all 70cl bottles of gin and vodka
Save 10% on all 70cl bottles of gin and vodka, including Fresh Gin, Lemon & Lime gin, Scottish Bramble Gin, Lime Gin and Winter Warmer Gin. No discount code required.
Free personalisation service on bottles of gin - save £5
Save £5 on the personalised gin service. No discount code required.
Free personalisation service on bottles of vodka - save £5
Save £5 on the personalised vodka service. No discount code required.
Free personalisation service on tasting boxes - save £5
Save £5 on the personalised tasting box service. No discount code required.
Shop personalised tasting boxes
Tour vouchers - free physical tickets - save £5
Want to impress with a physical tour voucher as a gift? For the Black Friday weekend we are offering free upgrades to the "physical ticket" option - hand crafted tour vouchers, printed information, contained within a high quality texture envelope - gift ready. Use discount code BF22-TOUR-VOUCHER at checkout
Shop Tour vouchers - Discovery Tour
Shop Tour vouchers - Gin Tasting Masterclass
Shop Tour vouchers - Gin School Experience
Free printed gift tag - worth £0.99
Our premium black print gift tags are free this weekend only personalised gift tag use discount code BF22-PERSONAL-GIFT-TAG at checkout
Rose gold gift bows - save £2
Make your gifts special with our half price rose gold gift bows.
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With less than a week to go, we’re preparing to throw our doors open to the public for this year’s Provenance Festival.
The 10-day festival inspires consumers to discover more about what the region’s food & drink producers do and where we do it through engaging, hands-on and memorable visitor experiences.
From Friday (Sep 30), there are events taking place across the region, including both well-loved and brand new experiences.
As part of the festival, we are running various events...
Discovery Tour
Saturday 1st October 11:00 - More info & booking
Sunday 2nd October 15:00 - More info & booking
Tuesday 4th October 13:00 - More info & booking
Saturday 8th October 11:00 - More info & booking
Sunday 9th October 15:00 - More info & booking
Gin Tasting Masterclass
Friday 30th September 18:00 - More info & booking
Friday 7th October 18:00 - More info & booking
Gin School Experience
Saturday 1st October 13:30 - More info & booking
Saturday 8th October 13:30 More info & booking
Once you've distilled your very own bottle (70cl) of Scottish Gin, chosen your preferred ABV, bottled it and given it a name, you can then decorate it with stickers (!) - we even have Provenance Festival stickers too. Celebrate you have become an Aberdeen Distiller with a berry and prosecco cocktail.
Background
Many other well-known food producers - such as Mackie’s of Scotland, Castleton Farm and Dean’s of Huntly - are joining us with rare glimpses behind the scenes on offer during the 10 days of the festival.
Provenance Festival 2022 offers something for all tastes and appetites. Some of the other experiences confirmed for this year are:
Aberdeen Art Gallery is also taking part, showing “Stories from the Shire” throughout the festival. The 20-minute film tells the inspiring stories behind some of Aberdeenshire’s best food and drink producers and its locally grown, reared and created products.
Food tourism
Created and led by Opportunity North East (ONE), Provenance Festival was piloted in 2021 as part of action and investment to develop Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as a premium food tourism destination.
The focus is on visitor experiences connecting consumers with producers of authentic food and drink at its source.
Provenance Festival 2022 is supported by Aberdeenshire Council and VisitAberdeenshire.
Peter Cook, ONE Director of Food Drink & Agriculture said: “The Provenance Festival is a fantastic showcase for the region’s ambition to be a leading destination for food tourism.
“North East Scotland produces some of the country’s finest food and drink products with great stories and heritage behind them.
“The festival gives people the chance to see behind the scenes, meet passionate producers and hear the stories of sustainability and provenance behind their food and drink.”
You can find out more about what we’ve got planned here at City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School and book your place here
Find out more about the whole Provenance Festival – which runs from 30 September to 9 October with events taking place across the region - at www.provenancefestival.co.uk
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We're delighted to have been awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers' Award 2022 - for the second year in a row!!
This puts the City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School in the top 10% of attractions worldwide! 😮😎
We couldn't have done it without all of our lovely customers 👋🙌👏 we really really appreciate you taking the time to leave your very kind feedback. ❤
Aberdeen is an amazing place to visit with a wide selection of sights and attractions - we can't wait to see you!
Book online or buy a gift a tour with our Tour Vouchers - available for each of the tours.
We are delighted to announce that the City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School has been shortlisted for the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards - under the category of Best Food & Drink Tourism Experience.
The award finalists include
Good luck to all finalists!
The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 9 June at The Chester Hotel, Aberdeen.
The achievements of north east Scotland’s pioneering food and drink producers are set to be recognised as the industry navigates unprecedented changes in consumer behaviour and markets and invests in its future sustainable growth.
Almost 30 businesses have been shortlisted for the 2022 North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation across the breadth of the industry from ambitious new starts to global brands.
The Awards are back after two years dominated by the global pandemic and new international trading arrangements. The sector has successfully responded to multiple challenges and demonstrated agility and leadership. Bringing new products to market to meet rapidly-evolving consumer tastes and significant shifts in domestic and international markets. Businesses have connected with their customers in new ways, embraced e-commerce opportunities and are leading the industry with their commitment to low-carbon
production with investment to deliver net zero targets through resource efficiency, digital transformation and advanced manufacturing.
Find out more below...
The long wait is finally over - we're delighted to announce you can now pre-order the signature gin online.
Your bottle of Aberdeen Gin will be delivered in time for Christmas.
Stocks will be limited - we hope you manage to get your hands on a bottle this Christmas.
Inspire your creative side this winter with the Scottish Gin Jar.
Inside is everything you need to make your own gin at home - just add your preferred vodka.
We supply the base botanicals so you can make two bottles of gin. We've included one recipe pouch for a full recipe - for your second bottle it's up to you to source botanicals to add to the provided base botanicals.
Keep an eye out for our guide on how to make your own gin at home.
Whether it's a birthday, a celebration, a thank you, or a perfect party gift - why not gift a personalised gin bottle?
Each of the Aberdeen Gins (70cl) can be customised with a name / message of your choice - add up to 3 lines of text.
Ready fast. Dispatch / collection same or next day.
Whether it's a birthday, a celebration, a thank you, or a perfect party gift - why not gift a personalised tasting box?
Add up to 3 lines of text, choose the label colour and select the gins that go inside.
Ready fast. Dispatch / collection same or next day.
...and there is more on the way ... secrets 🤫
We are delighted to announce that the distillery has been shortlisted at the Scottish Gin Awards 2021! We are very proud to be representing Aberdeen and true Scottish Gin - distilled right here in the heart of the city.
An amazing 7 gins have been shortlisted over 4 categories. Plus we've been shortlisted in a business category for Product Development Team of the Year.
The distillery is up against some tough competition including big names such as Edinburgh Gin, McQueen's Gin, Isle of Harris and Eden Mill.
Business category
London Dry Gin of the Year
Berry Flavoured Gin of the Year
Flavoured Gin of the Year
Herb & Spice Flavoured Gin of the Year
Winners are announced at the live awards dinner taking place on Wednesday 27th October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central.
We wish all entrants the very best of luck.
The wonderful folk from Network Rail recently visited Aberdeen's Distillery - we were delighted to be featured in the latest edition of Spotlight Magazine.
Find out how owners Dan and Alan brought distilling back to the city, discover a few interesting historic facts about Aberdeen, how we helped GP surgeries across the city at the start of the pandemic and read about the journey finding the right arch to setup Aberdeen first distillery in over 80 years.
City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School have donated an exciting prize to local charity Friends of Anchor of a Gin School Experience for 2!
Not only that but thanks to Grape and Grain, you'll also be heading out to one of Aberdeen's most beautiful wine bars to enjoy a platter and a your choice of a drink.
Become a distiller and create your own gin at the the first distillery in Aberdeen for nearly 80 years. After a tour of the premises, while sipping an arrival drink, hear from experts and owners Dan and Alan who will help you select the ideal botanicals and quantities for your unique gin recipe. Enjoy a surprise cocktail before bottling up your creation and heading to Grape and Grain to continue your evening. At the luxurious wine bar indulge in a delicious grazing board for two alongside a tipple of choice to make this one special day out.
You can bid on the Friends of Anchor website below - don't delay - bidding closes at 11pm 3rd September!!
https://givergy.uk/galagolfevent/?controller=lots&action=showLot&id=6
This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently delivery fantastic experiences over the last 12 months. This award puts the distillery in the top 10% for attractions worldwide.
]]>We are delighted to announce the distillery has been awarded Trip Advisors Travellers’ Choice 2021!!
This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences over the last 12 months. This award puts the distillery in the top 10% for attractions worldwide.
This is an amazing achievement not only for the distillery but also for the city. Despite challenging and uncertain times, we are very proud to be representing the best Aberdeen has to offer alongside other successful businesses throughout the city.
We’d like to thank every single one of our visitors to the distillery – we couldn’t have done it with you and we appreciate your continued support.
Why not visit the distillery shop and have a few samples or enjoy a Discovery Tour, Gin Tasting Masterclass or maybe even distil your own gin at the Gin School Experience.
Chamomile, rose and blue mallow flowers join with the traditional gin botanicals to give a luxuriously smooth and floral gin.
A sensation of caramelised apple and soft subtle pepper which then blossoms into sweet fragrant rose.
]]>Chamomile, rose and blue mallow flowers join with the traditional gin botanicals to give a luxuriously smooth and floral gin.
A sensation of caramelised apple and soft subtle pepper which then blossoms into sweet fragrant rose.
Chamomile Gin is a traditional London Dry Gin combined with flower petals resulting in a smooth and floral gin.
You can try Chamomile Gin by visiting the distillery shop or enjoy a sample included during our tours, classes and experiences.
Our recommended serve is with ice and a light tonic water a 1:2 or 1:3
Buy online today - Click & Collect / UK delivery available. Or pop into the distillery and enjoy a sample.
Already enjoying a Chamomile Gin? Why not take a photo and tag us on social media?
Instagram / Facebook: @CityOfAberdeenDistillery
Twitter: @abzDistillery
We have also tweaked the recipe to add new depths of delicious citrus flavour.
]]>As part of our label refresh series we're introducing the brand new design of our popular Fresh Gin - it's bright, lively and refreshing - now with a label that matches.
The prominently displayed fruit is a grapefruit - Fresh Gin is made to a classic gin recipe and is made with carefully prepared citrus - namely grapefruit and orange.
We serve Fresh Gin at the start of our tours, classes and experiences.
All of our Aberdeen Gins are distilled right here in Aberdeen. No one else is distilling gin in Aberdeen. We make this true Aberdeen Gin every 2-3 weeks - it's literally...Fresh...Gin.
At the time of writing, we've just put though a newly distilled batch of Fresh Gin through to the distillery shop (in-store/online).
The distillery shop is open from 12-5:30pm every day (closed Monday).
Pop in and ask for a sample (available with tonic / lemonade).
For this new batch of Fresh Gin (and perhaps going forward), we have decided to include more of the citrus flavours - we did this by allowing some of the citrus oils to make it through into gin.
This results in two things - (1) a lot more of the exciting citrus flavours (2) a slightly cloudy appearance.
You may not even notice the gin going cloudy, especially if you are serving with ice, but it's something worth celebrating because you're about to have a very fine experience of flavour.
We recommend that Fresh Gin is served with a light tonic water.
Buy online today - Click & Collect / UK delivery available. Or pop into the distillery and enjoy a sample.
Already enjoying a Fresh Gin? Why not take a photo and tag us on social media?
Instagram / Facebook: @CityOfAberdeenDistillery
Twitter: @abzDistillery
We’re excited to reveal our new label design for Scottish Bramble Gin.
Scottish Bramble Gin is dark and mysterious, imbued with warming notes of Cassia, Black Pepper and exotic Cubeb Berries. These flavours combine with Scottish Brambles to give a rich and luxurious experience.
The hand drawn, plump and juicy, bramble is unique piece of artwork created exclusively for Scottish Bramble Gin.
You’ll also notice that the bramble is bursting outside of the container of the label – we wanted to demonstrate that all of our gins are busting with flavour – waiting for you to release it….into your glass.
Our fruit gins all use real Scottish fruit.
In this first post we'll delve into the original label designs (including how we used rubber stamps!), look at our current range of labels before delving into the evolution of our new edition of label design - starting with Scottish Strawberry Gin.
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The distillery opened a week before Christmas 2019 (a few months before the pandemic) – after years of working to set up Aberdeen’s Distillery, we couldn’t wait to get open.
We were elated to open our doors - our labels, while iconic (to us at least), had strong elements of craft: they were manually hand stamped with ink pads and hand written with a calligraphy pen along with batch, abv and signature which were also hand written. We are proud of every bottle of gin we make and so this process, while very rewarding, was about as a far from retail-ready as you could be.
Early in 2020 we set to work on the next version of our labels.
Our second set of label designs introduced photos of botanicals that could be found in the gin and we used colours to help our customers recognise the specific gin at a glance. We had lots of fun taking the photos and the labels were now consistent over the collection with each gin being distinct in both style of imagery and colours.
The labels are clean, simple, and functional. As we have built and grown the business we feel it’s time for a brand new look to reflect where we are now.
However, our next iteration of labels really needed to introduce a recognisable identity and add some exciting flair.
We set out with a mission – to examine all of our gin labels and come up with a distinct new style that was consistent across our full range of products while visually communicating the spirit of the adventure, authenticity and experience of flavour that can be found in our range of Aberdeen Gins.
We love to be creative, to adapt to challenges and evolve to become better than we were yesterday.
Strawberry Gin is the first to feature our new label design.
The background style - firstly we have to take our hats off to local design agency FortyTwo Studio (based here in Aberdeen) and all those involved who created our overall brand styling. We felt their work on our brand really hit the spot.
We decided not to reinvent something that was already brilliant, and instead incorporated this artwork/styling into the brand new bottle design.
The colour – we liked how the colours allowed each bottle to be identified more easily – so we took that to the next level – the background colour of each label not only works with the colour of the liquid inside the bottle but often pays tribute to the ingredients used in the gin.
The background label of Strawberry Gin is a sand colour – more accurately a straw/hay colour – as hay is used to protect strawberries while they grow.
The typography - the colour of the text used will often reflect what is in the bottle e.g. red for Strawberry Gin, light yellow for Fresh Gin, purple for Bramble Gin etc…
We use one word for the type of gin so you can tell what is in each gin with ease. We have quite a few products in our range and we felt it would be great if someone could quickly scan the range and lock onto a gin that would be most suitable.
In the case of our fruit gins - we wanted to emphasise it was a true gin (and not a sub 37.5% ABV fruit liqueur). So we brought up the ABV to a premium position - ABV is often an important factor when looking to purchase an alcoholic beverage.
A Hero image - to supplement the background artwork as designed by FortyTwo Studio, we wanted a clear way for you to recognise what each gin was about and have an instant connection with i.e. you shouldn’t need to pull your specs down to the end of your nose and read the fine print to discover what a gin is about.
Each bottle features a large hand drawn illustration - a unique piece of artwork created specifically for each gin expression and you won’t find anywhere else.
You’ll also notice that the image bursts outside of the container of the label – we wanted to demonstrate that all of our gins are busting with flavour – waiting for you to release it….into your glass.
Discovery – how many times have you looked at a bottle and thought “I’m not sure if I want it, but I’m not wanting to pick up every bottle in the shop to learn more about each one…”. We’ve solved this problem by including a brief description on the front of each bottle – so you can easily discover what the drink is all about.
On the reverse of the label you’ll also find out about the distillery, which batch of gin you’re enjoying and a QR code (we all know how to use these now) which takes you to our website where you can learn more about the gin you are enjoying - useful if you've been gifted a gin and you'd like to know more about Aberdeen's Distillery.
Strawberry Gin is available in a range of sizes (70cl / 50cl / 20cl / miniature)
Aromatically fruity Scottish Strawberries, smooth pepper from Grains of Paradise, earthy sweetness of Ginseng, and the traditional gin botanicals all combine to make this vivifying gin. Lively, uplifting and distilled in the heart of Aberdeen.
The Wandering Bartender created his very own gin at the City of Aberdeen Distillery’s Gin School...
]]>We’re delighted to announce The Wandering Bartender has created a special “Pride 2021” edition of The Wandering Gin.
The Wandering Bartender created his very own gin at the City of Aberdeen Distillery’s Gin School and has redesigned his brand with help of friends and newlyweds Sofia and Vanessa.
The gin (fully distilled and bottled here in Aberdeen) uses plump, juicy Junipers handpicked in Macedonia. The citrus element come from a carefully curated choice of Moroccan Coriander, Lime Leaves, Orange and zesty Lemon. This is complemented by the summer taste of Elderflower to round out the gin.
Pride is so important not just to the city, but to the nation and to the world – to support the LGBTQ+ community, to support our city, to hold onto the rights that we all deserve and to show support for our friends, neighbours, family, colleagues – but also help someone feel better in what could be a scary and paralysing moment in their lives.
However you choose to show your pride….be proud of who you are, be proud of your friends & family, be proud of who you love.
A portion of every bottle sold will be donated to an LGBTQ+ charity.
In addition to our existing glass personalisation options, we're now offering a new range of colours to choose from.
New colours include:
We have various glasses to choose from - Tumblers, Tall Cocktail or the traditional Balloon Gin Glass.
Ready to post same / next day or Click and Collect is available (please wait for a notification before visiting to collect).
A personalised gin glass is ideal for the garden this summer.
Celebrating a birthday? An achievement? A special event? ... or just because you want one and you really deserve to drink gin in style?!
If you're looking something even more special, just get in touch and we'll be happy to see how we can help e.g. different fonts, added decals etc.
The Love Box is ready to gift - write your personal love message or poem in the space on the front of the box. Each miniature is dressed in glorious pink and sits on a bed of soft luxurious red tissue. Inside you'll also find two distillery drink mats - a reminder of your gin-erosity.
The love box contains Strawberry Gin, Chocolate & Mint Gin, Tuck Shop Gin, Rhubarb Gin and Bramble Gin.
Strawberries and Chocolate - classic. Tuck Shop Gin - made with Rose petals. Rhubarb Gin - it's pink. Bramble - keep warm.
You can upgrade your valentine's day with a Limited Edition: Love Glass, featuring a shimmer pink effect (and shimmers on the inside too).
The drinking experience is not limited to the contents of the glass but the whole experience and ritual of preparing and enjoying your gin. This starts with your glass.
Many of us have strong feelings when it comes to selecting a glass but if you are spending money on a great gin, you want to make sure the whole experience is just right. From the width of the stem to the thickness of the rim. It all makes a huge different to your drinking enjoyment.
In the run up to the new year we offered virtual events for a range of local businesses. The events were enjoyed by all and so we have decided to offer virtual events as part of our core offering.
If you are looking to organise a social event, our virtual events are ideal for...
How does it work?
Choose a package and we'll prepare your gin packs and send them out to you. A few days in advance of the event we'll send you a link to attend virtual event.
I'm interested! Tell me more...
Take a look at our private virtual events page here...
https://cityofaberdeendistillery.co.uk/pages/private-virtual-events
"...my boss thought the tasting was Excellent on Friday evening. Thank you very much."
]]>"I have had a few internal messages already complimenting you already!"
The City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School is delighted to announce that five of their Aberdeen distilled gins have been selected to become finalists in the prestigious Scottish Gin Awards in the category of London Dry Gin of the Year.
In addition, the distillery has also been shortlisted in two business categories; Excellence in Branding and Best Brand Experience.
One of the finalist gins was the boutique gin created in collaboration with The Wandering Bartender who designed his gin to be the ideal cocktail gin, aptly named The Wandering Gin.
The highly coveted category of Gin of the Year award is sought by all those who have entered and now Aberdeen is in the running to win big.
The distillery, which is owned and run by two friends, opened its doors just before Christmas 2019 and was presented not only with the challenges of being a start-up but then shortly afterwards, faced the added struggle of a worldwide pandemic.
Despite the rocky road we are humbled to receive the support of our customers who have taken “shop local” to heart. We are proud to be representing Aberdeen and competing alongside huge names in the gin industry such as Edinburgh Gin, McQueen, Eden Mill, and Isle of Harris.
The Scottish Gin Awards was founded in 2016 and is run for the benefit of the Scottish Gin sector, with the objective of celebrating and promoting the growing range of high-quality gins made in Scotland. This is the 4th annual Scottish Gin Awards and the most competitive involving 71 companies.
The judging panel of 26 tasters blind tasted and graded every sample under strict technical conditions that were moderated in supervised sessions.
Chair of the judging panel, Adam Hardie says:
“To make it to the final stage of the Scottish Gin Awards is a huge achievement so congratulations must go to all these businesses who are operating at the top of their game in Scottish gin. For the consumer, this list is important as it is a comprehensive study for any gin fan looking for high quality Scottish products which taste great. They have all achieved the rating of a highly regarded panel of independent experts in gin production from across the UK. We look forward to celebrating the news of the winners when we gather as an industry next week in a digital celebration.”
The awards will be broadcast on Thursday 12th November from the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, hosted by comedian Des Clarke.
Only gins that are distilled in Scotland are permitted to enter the Scottish Gin Awards.
The Scottish Gin Awards have a strong focus on celebrating and promoting true Scottish Gin. Each of the gins are blind tasted, to ensure impartial judging, by a range of experienced industry experts. Awards are made based on flavour and quality of the spirit rather than on entry fee.
The City of Aberdeen Distillery is the first distillery in Aberdeen for 80 years. We design the recipes for our gins in our railway arch distillery near Union Square.
All of ours gins are distilled and bottled in the heart of Aberdeen. Even our branding was developed in the city with the help of Aberdeen based FortyTwo agency.
We are proud & excited to represent Aberdeen in the Scottish Gin Awards and while we warmly wish all entrants the best of luck - we hope to bring this one home for Aberdeen. 😉
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