Caledonian Sleeper has partnered with Arbikie Distillery to launch a brand-new, limited edition gin inspired by the overnight train’s epic journey from London to Scotland.
Expertly crafted in partnership with Arbikie’s Master Distiller Kirsty Black, the exclusive Caledonian Sleeper Gin will launch on Monday 10th June following World Gin Day on Saturday 8th June. Arbikie is a family-run distillery sitting on 2,000 acres of land near Montrose, a calling point for Caledonian Sleeper as it winds its way further north to Aberdeen.
One of Scotland’s most sustainable distilleries, Arbikie and the Caledonian Sleeper team have created a limited edition gin using their field to bottle approach to distilling and selecting a range of local ingredients grown by the farm.
The Caledonian Sleeper team visited the distillery during the production process to help select key botanicals that influence flavour. The result is a gin that takes inspiration from the picturesque Lunan Bay which the distillery overlooks – one of the scenic spots the Caledonian Sleeper passes on its way further north.
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This unique gin features notes of kelp, carline thistle and blaeberries to give a hint of the ocean, rock and land surrounding Arbikie. The gin also includes a few ‘secret’ ingredients inspired by the Caledonian Sleeper’s overnight journey from London to Scotland’s quaint towns, vibrant cities and spectacular Highlands.
Only 200 x 70cl bottles of the limited edition Caledonian Sleeper Gin will be produced. One of these specially gift boxed bottles can be purchased on Arbikie’s website and at the Arbikie Distillery shop with a retail price of £89 (including free delivery within the UK). A limited run of 5cl mini bottles of the Caledonian Sleeper Gin will also be produced and can be purchased onboard and at the invitation-only London Euston Guest Lounge.
Proceeds from sales of the limited edition 70cl bottle of Caledonian Sleeper Gin will be donated to the Railway Children’s Glasgow project, bringing together the railway industry and British Transport Police to support vulnerable young people using the rail network.
Kirsty Black, Master Distiller at Arbikie Distillery, said: “The Caledonian Sleeper transforms something as ordinary as travelling to London into something extraordinary and special. I’d like to think that’s what we also do at Arbikie; taking simple, unassuming plants that grow wild around us and unlocking their secret flavours to create something extraordinary. For this gin we wanted to combine plants that represent where we are based with plants that can be found along the Caledonian Sleeper route.”
Kathryn Darbandi, Managing Director of Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Working with Arbikie to create Caledonian Sleeper Gin has been a real pleasure, bringing our limited edition gin to life in line with their field to bottle sustainable ethos. All ingredients have been sourced as locally as possible to keep our carbon footprint low.
“With the expertise of the Arbikie team, we’ve crafted a spirit that encapsulates the feel of the gorgeous Lunan Bay area and spectacular landscapes surrounding the distillery and along our epic overnight route to Scotland, taking those tasting the gin on their very own flavour journey. And with Montrose being one of the 40+ stations we serve, it is ideally located just five miles away where guests can enjoy the Arbikie Distillery Experience.”
For more information or to purchase Caledonian Sleeper Gin, visit www.arbikie.com. To find out more about overnight rail travel between London and Scotland, visit www.sleeper.scot.
