Just cruisin’ along
We were so lucky to be invited along to the inaugural Linlithgow Distillery Gin Cruise, on Friday 30 August.
It wasn’t the glorious summer evening we were hoping for, but the torrential rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the canal boat crew, distillery team or the lucky guests who managed to nab a ticket to this sell-out event.
We were welcomed with a Bee’s Knees, which was a truly delicious cocktail (recipe below), and Damian – Brand Ambassador, talked us through the method and history of the drink. We were so busy enjoying the gin that we almost missed the incredible deli box that each party was given to graze on.
The team, headed up by Alyson and Ross Jamieson, then took us through the LinGin story, and the history of gin from its turbulent past to where we are today. LinGin & T was then served, so far so good.
The pinnacle came when after having two of the Four Mary’s as long serves: First Mary – Mary Fleming, Zesty Sherbert; Second Mary – Mary Livingston, Bonnie Bramble; we were then treated to the Third Mary – Mary Seton, Forever Fresh.
This expression of the Four Mary’s is available to buy week commencing 2 September and is the latest release from Linlithgow Distillery.
Forever Fresh is a first in terms of Scottish Gin, it has eucalyptus as a core botanical, along with lemon verbena, peppermint and butterfly pea flower. Butterfly pea flower is what gives this gin its distinctive blue colour, and the drink changes to lilac with the addition of tonic. It’s one of those gins that would be great on a hot day, as the hint of minty freshness is so invigorating.
But, as if this wasn’t enough – we were treated to the Fourth and final Mary in the collection, Mary Beaton, and this is a Spiced Gin. The team are still developing this, but have agreed on the botanicals, and the prototype was delicious, so much so, we can’t wait for the final iteration.
There’s another cruise scheduled for Halloween – on the 31st October, you will have to be quick off the mark, as this sold out in less than 2 hours. There are more Linlithgow Distillery Cruises planned for Spring 2020, and as soon as we know the dates, we will share them.
Bee’s Knees:
- 50 ml LinGin
- 15 ml Honey syrup (1:1 ratio)
- 15 ml Orange juice
- 25 ml Lemon juice
Shake to mix with plenty of ice, strain and serve with honeycomb crumbs, or bee pollen if you can get some.
To find out more about what this talented team are up to, please visit: http://www.linlithgowdistillery.co.uk/ or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
