Scottish Gin

The Beginnings of Scottish Gin

Gin making in Scotland really began in the 1700s at Leith Port in Edinburgh, where there was easy access to exotic traded spices as well as many workers with the skills needed to create the beverage. The Dutch traded the first bottle of gin at this port, exchanging it for Scottish supplies such as wool. Since then, gin has been a favourite of the Scots, and exciting new artisan creators continue to pop up all over the country.

In the 1800s, Robert Stein invented a new way of creating gin that meant continuous production was possible. And the so-called ‘gin craze’ continued for hundreds of years, only starting to dip in popularity in the 1950s when vodka become more favoured.

However, gin saw a resurgence in the 1980s and, since companies won the right to distil in small batches in 2009, the drink has only continued to thrive.

Scotland Artisan Gins

Although Scotland is home to some of the most famous large-scale gin makers in the UK – the likes of Gordon’s and Hendrick’s – at Chestnut House we’re all about celebrating the ‘little guy’. That’s those Scottish gin makers that keep things small, focusing on quality over quantity. In our collection you’ll find unique flavours, special editions and cult favourites that you simply won’t want to put down.