PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Edinburgh Gin's origin story is a genuinely humble one for a brand that's grown into what many now call Scotland's most successful gin. Founders Alex and Jane Nicol launched the company in 2010, selling craft gin directly from the back of a van at local gardening shows — a start that quickly caught on with gin enthusiasts and has since grown into a distillery that's outgrown two locations, now based at The Arches, in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, with plans for an even larger, purpose-built facility on the horizon.
The Classic is Edinburgh Gin's flagship, a modern London Dry built from a genuinely distinctive blend of 14 botanicals — juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, and citrus peel form the traditional London Dry backbone, joined by lavender, pine buds, mulberries, cobnuts, orange peel, lemongrass, and lime peel for lively citrus lift, while heather, milk thistle, and Scottish pine — all sourced locally — give the gin a genuinely native sense of place. As the brand's own copy puts it: "bright bursts of citrus reflect the fruits once traded through Edinburgh's storied docks, while a crisp, juniper-forward core grounds this gin in traditional distillation heritage."
The official tasting notes describe a clean, fresh gin with subtle spice notes — rounded juniper and pine meeting floral lavender, soft spice, and aromatic citrus, with bright citrus giving way to a round, smooth finish. Distiller.com's independent review found "from the start you get the piney notes and some citrus before the floral heather aromas come in focus. The spices, particularly the coriander, come on a bit stronger on the palate and the finish is clean and only slightly bitter" — calling it "a fairly flexible gin for cocktails." The Gin Is In's own tasting agreed on the gin's genuine versatility, finding it "straddling the line between classic and contemporary," with "enough juniper for most," though noting "some will find the lime-dominated citrus and pine blossom accented juniper create a more floral gin than they might desire" — their conclusion: "I like the balance and surprising combination of botanicals... even more that it is versatile," recommending it in a Gimlet or Negroni, or paired with either a dry Indian tonic or a floral elderflower tonic to bring out the heather and pine blossom character. This is genuine Scottish craft gin with real geographic identity built directly into the recipe.
Edinburgh Gin was founded in 2010 by Alex and Jane Nicol, who began selling their craft gin from the back of a van at local gardening shows before rapidly building a devoted following among gin enthusiasts. The brand, now part of Ian Macleod Distillers, has since expanded well beyond its humble beginnings, outgrowing two previous distillery locations before settling at The Arches, in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town.
Edinburgh Gin Classic is a modern London Dry-style gin distilled using a carefully balanced blend of 14 botanicals: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, and citrus peel form the traditional core, joined by lavender, pine buds, mulberries, and cobnuts, with orange peel, lemongrass, and lime peel contributing lively citrus character. Scottish-sourced botanicals — heather, milk thistle, and native pine — give the gin a distinctly local sense of place. Botanicals are macerated in neutral grain spirit before distillation in traditional copper pot stills, allowing the full range of flavors to properly infuse. Only water, neutral grain spirit, and a small amount of sugar (no more than 0.1g/L) may be added, with no artificial flavors or colors permitted. Bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof.
No numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.
Distiller.com (extended independent review):
"From the start you get the piney notes and some citrus before the floral heather aromas come in focus. The spices, particularly the coriander, comes on a bit stronger on the palate and the finish is clean and only slightly bitter. This is a fairly flexible gin for cocktails."
The Gin Is In (extended independent review):
"Edinburgh Gin, despite some of its unusual botanicals, mixes well as if a rather classic gin. Try it in a gin and tonic with a dry Indian Tonic or pair it with a floral elderflower tonic water to bring out the heather and floral side of pine blossoms. Bartenders will find it a contemporary leaning gin that works well in most classic gin cocktails. I suggest a gimlet or Negroni. Straddling the line between classic and contemporary, Edinburgh Gin is a versatile gin that works well in cocktails and mixed drinks. There's enough juniper for most, though some will find the lime dominated citrus and pine blossom accented juniper create a more floral gin than they might desire. I like the balance and surprising combination of botanicals. I like even more that it is versatile."
ScottishGin.com (official tasting note):
"Clean and fresh with subtle spice notes. Rounded juniper, pine, floral lavender, with hints of soft spice and aromatic citrus. Bright citrus giving way to a round, smooth finish."
TasteAtlas:
"It offers a clean and zesty flavor profile that is distinctly smooth and well-balanced. Edinburgh Gin Classic is often celebrated for its versatility, proving to be an excellent base for cocktails or enjoyable as a straightforward gin and tonic."
Nose
Crystal clear in the glass. Rounded juniper and pine lead, joined by floral lavender, subtle spice, and aromatic citrus. Heather and pine blossom add a distinctly Scottish, floral quality.
Palate
Piney juniper carries the entry, with spice — particularly coriander — coming through with real presence, balanced by refreshing citrus. Some tasting finds notes of liquorice and creamy almond nuttiness underneath the juniper.
Finish
Clean, smooth, and only slightly bitter, with bright citrus giving way to a round, refreshing close.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Modern London Dry Gin |
| ABV / Proof | 43% ABV / 86 Proof |
| Botanicals | 14 — juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, citrus peel, lavender, pine buds, mulberries, cobnuts, orange peel, lemongrass, lime peel, heather, milk thistle, Scottish pine |
| Producer | Edinburgh Gin (Ian Macleod Distillers) |
| Founded | 2010, by Alex & Jane Nicol |
| Distillery | The Arches, Edinburgh's Old Town |
| Distillation | Copper pot stills, botanicals macerated in neutral grain spirit |
| Additives | None beyond minimal sugar (max 0.1g/L) — no artificial flavors or colors |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely versatile, juniper-forward London Dry with distinctly local Scottish botanical character |
| Aromas & Flavors | Juniper, pine, lavender, citrus, coriander, heather, milk thistle |
| Bottle Size | 700ml |
Classic Gin & Tonic
2 oz Edinburgh Gin Classic · dry Indian tonic water · orange peel garnish.
Gimlet
2 oz Edinburgh Gin Classic · fresh lime juice · simple syrup.
Negroni
1 oz Edinburgh Gin Classic · 1 oz Campari · 1 oz sweet vermouth, stirred with ice, orange peel garnish.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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