The brand Edinburgh Gin is best known for its delicious gin liqueurs (hello rhubarb and ginger), and it's a pretty firm favourite among industry and the public. The brand's latest launch is a pretty special one, as it's a collaboration with the iconic Edinburgh Castle.
Anyone who's been to Edinburgh will know how monumental the castle's presence is standing over the magical Scottish city. If the gin taps into just a morsel of that magic then we want to try it!
Historic Environment Scotland, who take care of the 900-year-old castle, created the gin with the distillery, inspired by Edinburgh’s: "rich history of gin and its gorse-clad spring landscape."
As well as being available to purchase the gin will be served at official events at the castle and other incredible Historic Environment Scotland castles across the country.
Natasha Troitino, Head of Retail & Product Licensing at Historic Environment Scotland, said in the press release: "We worked with the award-winning experts on our doorstep, Edinburgh Gin, to create this fresh and fragrant distillation.
"The medieval poetry, Y Gododdin, talks of warriors drinking mead on Castle Rock before riding into battle. Barrels of ale were even used to helps Scots reclaim the castle during a surprise attack in 1341. But, in Edinburgh Castle’s long, illustrious history, this is its first-ever gin!"
In spring time Edinburgh's hills and green spaces are covered in marvellously yellow gorse and this new gin is distilled with this vibrant yellow flowering plant giving the tipple a fresh, coconut aroma. The bright botanical's floral flavours are further enhanced with bee pollen. Sweet tart notes courtesy of pink grapefruit and yuzu, are finished with pink pepper for a kick of heat.
Dave Wilkinson, Head Distiller at Edinburgh Gin, said in the press release: "The Castle is central to Edinburgh’s landscape, and we wanted to create a gin that captured its beauty. Yellow gorse brightens up the city in spring, so it seemed like the perfect botanical to distil for this project.
"On the palate, you can expect fresh coconut with sharp citrus and a flash of pepper. Best enjoyed on the ‘rocks’ with a dash of tonic!
You don't need to tell us twice David.
Edinburgh Castle Gin (ABV 43% / 70cl / £36) is available from the Edinburgh Castle shops and via the Historic Environment Scotland online store. A 20cl and 5cl bottle are also available.
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Elena Chabo is Cosmopolitan UK's former beauty writer, working on everything from buzzy celeb news and trending beauty, to sincere first-person reviews and engaging video content for social media. She also creates meatier features and expert-led how-to guides, for print and online. Her passion for Black beauty, textured hair, and the ways beauty interacts with culture, society, identity and relationships, quickly took over her writing career and led her into beauty journalism. Following an MA in Magazine Journalism in 2017, she cut her teeth across various roles at Stylist Magazine, before taking on a Digital Writer role at Good Housekeeping. It was here that beauty took centre stage and she launched and ran the site's first stand-alone beauty section. Remaining at Hearst, she joined the Cosmo beauty team in 2022. Find her on LinkedIn.
