As the evenings get longer and chillier, we’re finding comfort in snuggling up with a little something to warm us from the inside out – let us introduce you to the delicious Dunnet Bay Distillers.
Dunnet Bay Distillers are perched right up at the top of Scotland, almost as far away as you can get from our stamping ground of Cornwall and still be on mainland UK – they’re just ten miles or so from John O’Groats. Since 2014, Claire and Martin – and their team including terrier Mr Mackintosh – have been distilling their Rock Rose Gin in Elizabeth, their copper pot still, joined later by her sister Margaret. (Where on earth did they get those names from?!)
We’ve loved Dunnet Bay Distillers for a while now. Artistic Director Rebecca Mordan was first taken there on a womantic* date by our friend and Creative Consultant Shazz Andrew in the before times, when we were touring The Full Brontë pre pandemic.
The range has expanded over time. The gin family includes variations on the classic Rock Rose – including Pink Grapefruit, Citrus Coastal, Smoked Orange and seasonal blends, as well as the wonderfully named Lassie’s Toast which we might just add to our Christmas list! That Smoked Orange flavour is definitely hitting the spot as we see Hallowe’en on the horizon!
Alongside the gin, there is vodka – from Cold Brew Coffee and Apple Holy Grass Vodkas to Bourbon, and blushing pink Rioja, cask aged treats – and the Mapmakers Spiced Rum which is spiced with locally sourced botanicals – lemon verbena, scurvy grass, sea kelp and Scottish sea salt. And if that’s not enough, there’s the Christmastastic Gingerbread Espresso Martini, and when summer comes round again, their sweetly scented Rock Rose Summer Cup.
One of the things we absolutely love about Dunnet Bay Distillers is that they provide refill pouches and a rewards programme to boot. In fact, Dunnet Bay is the first gin available in fully recyclable pouches that can be returned to them at the distillery, freepost via Royal Mail. Our Artistic Director, Rebecca Mordan, is known to sneak a refill pouch or two into her Glastonbury packing – it’s normal for festivals to have a ‘no glass’ policy. With Dunnet Bay, this doesn’t have to mean no delicious gin!
We are hard pressed to pick a favourite from their delicious offerings. Every single one of the specials could have a place on our shelves and their reviews bear this out. We love this one from Angus, ‘Thank goodness I got two bottles. One bottle of this ‘condensed’ essence of the summer was finished at the drop of a hat, we now have an issue as the second bottle was a present’.
Explore their range of exceptional spirits here.
*when good female friends treat themselves to an outing
