Launch of the Botanical Bursts

New product!

Today we’re bursting with excitement to announce the launch of a new range of products called the Botanical Bursts. These are 100ml bottles of intense flavours – they have either been traditionally distilled or extracted using modern techniques – using premium organic alcohol - all in the heart of Aberdeen.

Origins: Gin Blending Workshop

The Botanical Bursts were originally developed for our Gin Blending Workshops. Now you can take home a burst and play at being a Master Distiller from the comfort of your own home. If you prefer to know more (and taste many of the bursts), then we would recommend joining us for a Gin Blending Workshop online.

Make the most out of your burst

The beauty of the Botanical Burst lies in its versatility. There are no rules - only great taste.

• The "Wee Dash": Add a wee dash to a G&T
• The “Creator”: Mix and match with other Bursts to build an entirely new, bespoke gin profile – either by the glass or add to a bottle of gin / vodka.
• The “Rescue Mission”: Have a bottle in the cupboard that’s lost its lustre? A generous dash can revitalise a tired gin, bringing back that "fresh-from-the-still" vibrancy.

What types of bursts are there?

Broadly speaking we have two main categories - distilled bursts and extracted bursts. The distilled bursts are traditionally distilled whereas the extracted bursts uses modern techniques to extract flavour.

The bursts are organised into three types

• Core Distillates – these are bursts focused those flavours that produce the traditional core gin notes e.g. Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Orris – but may also include varieties based on different countries e.g. Moroccan Coriander and English Coriander
• Distillates – individual distilled botanicals and are strong in intensity of flavour e.g. Lime, Bitter Orange, Pink Peppercorns, Sea Kelp etc. These make up the majority of the burst range.
• Extractions – one or more botanicals are placed in a modern extraction device and eventually extracts all of the flavour – this also takes some colour over but brings over flavours that might normally be left behind during distillation offering wide range of intense flavours e.g. sweet orange, mace spice (a mix of botanicals), cacao.

Can I just drink them?

Although you could drink this as it comes, as with all of our Botanical Bursts, we’ve actually designed them to be … strong, and in some cases, very strong – a small amount goes a long way to imparting the flavour. We’re talking wee dashes for a double G&T.

While the Juniper (and a few others) is delicious to drink as is, something like the kelp or the cacao would be just too much flavour.

Distillation, extraction…but not maceration / steeped?

When creating a premium botanical addition, the method of capture is everything. While maceration (steeping botanicals in alcohol) is a common at-home DIY technique, it often results in a "heavy" or "muddy" flavour profile, as the alcohol pulls out bitter tannins and dark pigments along with the oils.

By contrast, our distillation and advanced extraction process focuses solely on the volatile aromatic oils. This method allows us to strip away the bitterness, leaving behind all the good parts and what is considered as a high-definition flavour. The result is a purer, more "bright" expression of the botanical that integrates seamlessly into your drink without clouding the spirit or weighing down the palate.

Share your creations

If you've put together something delicious and unique, tag us on social media @CityOfAberdeenDistillery and we'll share your highly recommended recipe for others to enjoy - don't forget to name your creation!

Buy online today

Visit the shop to buy today.