A new gin created specially for HMY Britannia – the former royal yacht that has been turned into a tourist attraction moored in Edinburgh – has been launched by the city’s first exclusive gin distillery in more than 150 years.
Summerhall Distillery’s small-batch gin takes familiar Scottish botanicals of juniper, heather and bog myrtle as its Scottish link and marries them perfectly with a selection of botanicals from around the world: citrus, representing the Caribbean; eucalyptus leaves and lemon myrtle in a nod to the antipodes; Greek-inspired orris root; liquorice root reflecting the USA; angelica inspired by Norway; coriander representing northern Africa; Maltese-inspired Blood Orange; pepper inspired by India; cloves reflecting Burma; lotus root inspired by China; and, finally, rose petals to celebrate the yacht’s 1977 UK tour for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
The team responsible for Pickering’s Gin has painstakingly balanced the breadth of botanicals to create a citrus-led, sweet and slightly spicy gin that captures “a million nautical miles in a glass”.
The gin is sold on board the Britannia, online, and poured at events on the yacht – plus a limited number of bottles will also be available directly from Summerhall Distillery.
Marcus Pickering, co-founder of Summerhall Distillery, said: “We’re thrilled about our partnership with Britannia. It’s an iconic visitor’s attraction that draws people from all over the world to Edinburgh”.
Fellow co-founder Matt Gammell added: “To have a product of our distillery served on board the queen’s former floating palace is truly an honour.”
Britannia Gin is available now in 70cl and 5cl sizes for £35.99 and £5.99 respectively.
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