An Angus-based “farm-to-bottle” distillery has followed up last year’s launch of its vodka brand with a high-end gin.
Arbikie Distillery says it is the first Scottish distillery to control the production process of white and brown spirits from start to finish on-site, which includes bottling and labelling.
The distillery, which is part of the Arbikie Highland Estate overlooking Lunan Bay, is managed by farming brothers John, Iain and David Stirling.
They unveiled Arbikie Vodka, the first spirit to be produced at the new distillery, in November.
The new premium gin is named after Arbikie’s master distiller, Kirsty Black, who spent more than two years developing it.
The distillery said Kirsty’s gin is made using traditional juniper base, with three traditional Scottish botanics, Kelp, Carline Thistle and Blaeberrys, all of which grow in the Angus area.
And it is distilled from Arbikie’s potato vodka, which creates an “extra smooth and distinctive taste”, the firm said.
Ms Black said: “I wanted to create something truly unique with a particular focus on Scottish botanicals, inspired by the environment of the distillery and the Angus region.
“Not many distillers get the chance to have a drink named after them; so I hope all the gin enthusiasts out there enjoy drinking it as much as I enjoyed making it.”
Kirsty’s Gin is on shelves at major retailers UK-wide and costs £35 a bottle.
Arbikie is also planning to branch into foreign markets such as Spain, North America and Asia.
Arbikie commercial director Iain Stirling, said: “It is great to see yet another stunning drink produced by Kirsty and the team. This is Scotland’s first farm-to-bottle gin, which further adds to our growing reputation of producing luxury spirits of superior quality and taste.
“We are confident that Kirsty’s Gin will prove a success in the market place and already we are targeting key international markets.”