Gin from Scotland
 

I will be visiting Scotland in about 10 days. Flying out of MAN when leaving UK.

Which Scottish Gin would you recommend that’s not readily available in the US?

What brands of gins are available at the duty free at MAN?

First few that come to mind....

Misty Isle (specifically the Salty & Sweet) - Isle of Skye
Rock Rose (specifically the Pink Grapefruit) - Dunnet Bay
Kirkjuvagr (specifically the Honey & Raspberry Old Tom) - Orkney
Isle of Harris (only the one I believe) - Isle of Harris

Just walked through ‘Duty Free’ at MAN T1 and saw Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray on offer. (There may well be other brands available.)

I haven't flown from MAN but I'd be surprised if you didn't find at least one variety of Edinburgh Gin there. It is very widely availably in duty free in the UK and is fairly decent. Though it might also be available in the US too.

Most whisky distilleries in Scotland (or at least those with a tourist orientation) also produce a gin, so if you are visiting any you might like to pick something up there.

We liked Caithness gin from Ice & Fire Distillery, but only saw it in a few places.

It's something a lot of the newer distilleries are doing too. There's a lot of money in whisky, but it takes years to get your product to market. Gin can be churned out very quickly, providing cash flow.

Sassenach Wild.
Old Raj.
Isle of Harris(mentioned above).
Makar from Glasgow; besides the old Tom and ld varieties the Makar Oak is different.

If you want good gin as opposed to something regional, Silent Pool makes something even I, as a non gin connoisseur, can drink. Ought to be available in Waitrose.

Silent pool is spectacular albeit from Sussex not Scotland. Their plain and orange are both wonderful, two thumbs up. Also widely available online worldwide thank goodness.

Will I be able to find these throughout Scotland or only available at the mentioned locations?

If you are in a big city like Edinburgh, there are gin shops that will have these and many more. Some shops are better than others, i.e. better selection or more frequently flipped merchandise. One other option is order online from the distillery and have them deliver to your hotel. All of that said, Orkney (and the ferry leaves from very close to Dunnet Bay), Skye, and Harris are well worth the effort to visit when you can. Otherwise a decent gin retailer, or pre-order with delivery. I'd say maybe go to a bar there, try a few, see what you like and hit a gin retailer for this trip buying what is available and leaving the rest for a very good reason to return. :)

Thanks mjm!

Unfortunately we won’t have time to visit the locations you mentioned. On this trip we are going to visit Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Neuk, Perth, Pitlochry, and Dundee.

Just based on my research I already want another trip to the Highlands and Islands!

Btw can confirm duty free at MAN has Edinburgh Gin and also the Botanist which is pretty good (I hadn't realised it's from Islay). You can pre-order if interested.

https://manchester.worlddutyfree.com...te-spirits/gin

I've never actually lived in Scotland but, aside from where I am now, it's the only place I've actually been homesick for.

I love love love Pitlochry. There's Blair Castle a bit north of it. And the Dalwhinnie Distilery a little further still. Both excellent places to spend time.

Man. I need to visit!

Thanks for the confirmation!

I have heard good things about Botanist too. However, I want to get something that’s not easily available in the US.