Three floral gins have been launched by new Edinburgh distillery The Old Curiosity, made with ingredients grown in its own herb garden.
They are Apothecary Rose Gin, Lavender & Echinacea Gin, and Chamomile & Cornflower Gin, all hand-crafted with botanicals from the Secret Herb Garden at the foot of the Pentland Hills on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The Old Curiosity Distillery has been set up in one of the barns by Steve Ross with Scottish herbologist Hamish Martin, owner of the garden where 600 varieties of herb are grown alongside the UK’s biggest crop of apothecary roses – one of the oldest rose varieties in the world.
The roses, which have been used in herbal remedies and tinctures for over 5,000 years, bring a subtly fragrant and elegant flavour to the Apothecary Rose Gin as well as colour-changing properties that see the liquid change from pale gold to vibrant pink.
The restorative qualities of lavender complement the medicinal properties of echinacea in the Lavender & Echinacea Gin which turns from purple to pink.
The Chamomile & Cornflower Gin is an infusion of pure blue cornflower pigments with the subtle notes of the camomile flower that transform from blue to pale pink.
The gins use no fruit extracts or flavour compounds and all the botanicals are grown in the Secret Herb Garden without the use of chemicals. They come in 50cl bottles, all at 39% ABV.
