Not content with giving gin lovers something very different – a smooth and flavourful gin distilled using floral botanicals free of chemicals, sugars, fruit extracts or flavour compounds – Edinburgh- based distillery The Old Curiosity has just launched the nation’s first and only pure working gin botanical garden within the stunning setting of its 7.5-acre Secret Herb Garden nestled at the foot of the Pentland Hills. Here along with scores of juniper bushes and the largest collection of apothecary roses in the UK, you will find all the other glorious ingredients that go into creating this magical, all-natural, colour changing gin range.
Opened on 26th June, the garden enables gin lovers to explore and celebrate the botanicals behind their favourite drink with an extraordinary journey that will embody The Old Curiosity Distillery’s unique mantra: from earth to bottle. Beginning with the hand-picking and drying of the garden’s flowers through to distilling, bottling and labelling, everything happens on site and will be showcased during the garden tour. With over a thousand juniper bushes, complemented by 500 herbs and floral varieties such as scented lemon verbena, geraniums, irises and roses, the gin garden is the ultimate tribute to nature’s magic. Curated by The Old Curiosity’s founder, renowned Scottish herbologist Hamish Martin, it encapsulates his boundless passion and knowledge.
The opening of the gin garden coincides with the launch of two new seasonal, limited edition gins. Bringing to life a selection of summery flavours, The Old Curiosity’s Geranium & Mallow and Damask Rose are available in a limited range of just 500 at Harvey Nichols across the nation until stock lasts, priced at £60 a 500ml bottle.
Geranium & Mallow builds on a smooth and light gin base distilled from juniper, coriander, angelica and winter savoury, infused in turn with the rich aroma of freshly distilled geraniums. Mallow flowers are then added to produce a nearly clear spirit which turns pink when tonic is added. The end result is a heady but beautifully balanced gin with a soft texture.
