Summer is the season for drinking gin in my opinion. A nice gin and tonic on a summer’s day sitting in a beer garden or a pavement cafe in Edinburgh is difficult to beat. It’s easy to order the house gin as standard, but there’s so much on offer out there. I tasted quite a few new ones at the Taste of the Cocktail event that are worth exploring.

Here are five new gins to try this summer…

Porter’s Gin

Porter’s is made in Aberdeen and is the first gin distiller in the city for over 100 years. The gin is distilled at cold temperatures using a rotary evaporator. Ben, Josh and Alex have a surprising amount of experience between them in all the key areas; mixology, entrepreneurship, bar management and marketing.

“The botanicals used to create our wonderful gin are: Juniper, angelica, almond, coriander, liquorice, lemon, orange, buddha’s hand, pink peppercorn, orris root, cassia bark and cinnamon. The resulting gin has a bold juniper body and unique citrus profile.”

The citrus flavour is ideal for a refreshing gin and tonic this summer, give it a try.

Buy Porters Gin

One Gin

If I’m allowed to have a personal favourite from the day, this was it. One gin is a philanthropic topic as well as an excellent tasting gin. Watch the video.

One Gin is distilled by multi-award-winning Master Distiller Sarah Thompson at Blackdown Distillery in Sussex using 9 botanicals from around the world, plus sage which is foraged from the grounds of the distillery.

It’s a gin that can be enjoyed neat, or with a splash of light tonic.

It’s currently only available as duty free at airports, but I was told it will be on general sale very soon! One to watch!

Find Out More About ONE Gin

Achroous Gin by Electric Spirit Co.

Achroous was the only Edinburgh produced gin at the event. Produced by one man band James in Leith, Achroous is quite a strong flavoured gin with an end note of aniseed, it won’t suit everyone, but give it a try. We love the distinctive bottle and James’ passion.

More about Electric Spirit Co.

Crossbill Gin

Crossbill is a handcrafted dry gin, it’s USP is that it’s created with 100% Scottish juniper.

Named after the crossbill bird, both the juniper and the bird can only be found in the ancient Caledonian pine forests of Scotland.

“For centuries Scotland’s fragrant juniper was exported to Holland produce Jenever, a tradition that died out 200 years ago. Now, with the help of the Forestry Commission and PlantLife.org, Crossbill has revived Scotland’s juniper production and is delighted to be able to produce the only gin to use 100% Scottish juniper.”

If provenance is important to you, give Crossbill a try.

Find out more about Crossbill gin

Darnley’s Gin

I didn’t manage to make it to the Darnley’s Gin Tales of the Cocktail event so they kindly sent me out a sample which I tasted yesterday afternoon.

This is a spiced navy strength (57.1% ABV) gin inspired by Sir Rosslyn Wemyss (an ancestor of the gin’s owners) who commanded ships all over the world in the early part of the twentieth century. During their time at sea, ship’s officers used to enjoy a daily ration of gin which had to pass a gunpowder test to prove it was over 57% alcohol and therefore navy strength.

Despite being navy strength, we tasted it both neat and with tonic. We found it tasted best with a medium amount of tonic so as not to lose that spicy end note.

The new Darnley’s distillery is being created in a disused cottage in Fife and there are rumours that there will be a visitor experience. We’re there!

Find out more about Darnley’s Gin here