Shetland Reel Simmer Gin

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 49% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

The long, light summer nights of the Shetland Islands inspired the creation of Simmer Gin. Their local name, Simmer Dim, refers to the summer twilight and gave this bottling its name. The recipe includes eight botanicals, among them orange peel, liquorice root, juniper, coriander and cumin. Orange and liquorice provide a sweet counterpoint to the juniper.

This London Dry Gin is bottled at 49% in 0.7-litre bottles. It won a silver medal at the Scottish Gin Awards 2018. A slice of orange and a sprig of rosemary make suitable garnishes for a gin and tonic.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Bold juniper initially leads the nose, followed by sweet orange.
• Palate: On the palate, the juniper recedes. Very sweet orange notes and liquorice come to the fore.
• Finish: The gin leaves a lingering, spicy finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Saxa Vord Distillery lies in the north of Unst, the northernmost inhabited island in the United Kingdom. The journey from the Shetland mainland involves two ferry crossings and a route across the island of Yell. Behind the distillery is the Shetland Distillery Company, founded by Frank and Debbie Strang together with Stuart and Wilma Nickerson.

The founders brought together different kinds of experience: Frank and Debbie Strang developed the former RAF site at Saxa Vord into a tourist destination. Stuart Nickerson has worked in the Scottish whisky industry since 1979 and has managed several distilleries. Gin production began in small batches for the local market. Despite growing demand, the team continues to distil its gins on Unst.

Facts: