Arbikie Distillery has launched a gin in collaboration with London to Scotland train the Caledonian Sleeper. The limited-edition Caledonian Sleeper Gin takes inspiration from the train’s journey north and the Lunan Bay which it passes in Montrose, near where Arbikie resides.

 

The gin’s botanicals are drawn from the land and sea of Scotland, including kelp, carline thistle, and blaeberries. The team from the Caledonian Sleeper visited Arbikie to help master distiller Kirsty Black select the flavour profile and key ingredients.

 

Black 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: “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.”

 

Proceeds from sales of the 70cl bottle of Caledonian Sleep Gin will be donated to the Railway Children’s Glasgow project. The project aims to support at-risk young people on the rail network.

 

Just 200 70cl bottles of the gin have been made, and will be available from Arbikie at £89. A limited run of 5cl bottles has also been produced, available onboard the Caledonian Sleeper and in the London Euston Guest Lounge.