Holyrood Height of Arrows Gin - new equipment

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 43% | Chill filtration: No

Special Features:

Height of Arrows uses juniper as its sole flavouring botanical. Rather than combining numerous botanicals, Holyrood draws on an idea from whisky production: a small number of ingredients can yield a broad range of aromas and flavours. Sea salt from the Isle of Skye and beeswax from Edinburgh Honey Co complement the recipe and contribute to its smooth, full-bodied texture. The gin is made from neutral grain spirit and is offered at 43% in a 0.7-litre bottle.

The bottle design introduced in 2024 also draws inspiration from Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat. Its sloping shoulders recall the summit, while its green colour evokes the lichens on the rocks. A textured surface gives the glass a sea-weathered appearance. The name Height of Arrows also refers to the hill and its Gaelic name, Àrd-Na-Said.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, fresh pine and resin mingle with a light citrus peel note.
• Palate: The gin initially feels oily on the palate, coating the mouth gently. Juicy orange peel and lemon pith define the opening. Black pepper and cardamom then come clearly to the fore, rounded out by a gentle herbal note.
• Finish: The long finish remains smooth and dry, with lively spice lingering.

Distillery/Bottler:

Holyrood Distillery was opened in 2019 by Robert and Kelly Carpenter together with David Robertson, former Master Distiller at The Macallan. Located at the foot of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the distillery occupies a converted railway goods shed. Its production brought single malt distilling back to the city centre after almost a century.

Alongside whisky, Holyrood makes gin. Its purpose-designed gin still allows different distillation methods to be used according to the botanicals involved. It was developed in collaboration with Slovenian equipment manufacturer Svarog Sistemi and the distillery’s manager at the time, Jack Mayo.

Facts: