Strathearn creates UK's strongest gin range

Small Scottish artisan spirits producer, Strathearn Distillery, has developed distillery strength versions of its four core gins, making it the strongest gin range in the UK, each at 60.5% ABV.

The Distillery Strength gins were born from an export request from Northern Europe that wanted the delicate flavours of the handcrafted gins to be accentuated. The high strength and potent flavours make for the ideal cocktail base that really packs a punch.

The balance in the distillery strength gin is achieved by using two distillations instead of the normal one which effectively creates the powerful spirit. Strathearn Juniper, is produced by two separate distillations, in two different stills and married to achieve the desired result. The balance in the other Strathearn gins is achieved by distilling a higher strength base gin which is then compounded with additional delicate botanicals. The four distillery strength flavours available are the classic Juniper, the celebratory Heather Rose, the Cask Strength Oaked Highland and the zesty Strathearn Citrus Gin.

Strathearn Distillery is the first traditional single cask distillery to commence production in over 100 years, implementing original methods and ideas using two small copper stills to create individual batches of spirit. Each of the bottles are available in 50cl size.

Tony Reeman-Clark, founder of Strathearn Distillery says: “We toyed with what we would call the range. Scotland doesn't have a Navy so we didn’t want to name it Navy Strength so Distillery Strength seems most appropriate. We tweaked and developed the recipe so that they held true to their lower- strength versions but at the same time had their own character.

 “Finally there was only one question, how strong? One of the team turned to me and asked how old I was and suggested the gin should be as strong as my age… so the gin become 60.5% ABV. The strongest gin in the UK.”

The range of Distillery Strength gins will be available to buy in specialist retailers and on the Strathearn website: www.strathearndistillery.com. Each bottle costs £40. 

25 July 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor