Scottish Gin Bible highlights Borders distilleries

The Scottish Gin Bible, by tourism writer Sean Murphy, tells the story of the gin industry nationally, and highlights four businesses which are helping take the region’s gin scene “from strength to strength”.

Sean said: “It always surprised me that a region of the country that was so rich in both food production and craft, their famous sweets and textiles – to name but two very obvious examples – didn’t have more in the way of a distilling heritage.”

He added: “Thankfully, the current whisky, craft beer and gin boom has helped to rectify that, giving another brilliant reason to visit this often overlooked part of Scotland.

“The four gins I’ve included in my book are only the beginning, and if they are an example of what the area is capable of, then I expect the Borders gin scene to only go from strength to strength.”

The Borders distilleries featured in The Scottish Gin Bible are: The Borders Distillery (Hawick), Lilliard Gin (Jedburgh), 1881 Gin (Peebles) and Rule Gin (Peebles).

Sean’s first book, Gin Galore, was published in 2018, and he said when the chance came to write a follow-up he “couldn’t wait to get back out there again”. “In all honesty I fell in love with the spirit itself,” explained Sean, “and the passion of the people that make it, whilst writing about the current explosion in popularity for Scottish gin which began around 2015.

“So, when the chance came around to follow up my first book Gin Galore, I couldn’t wait to get back out there again.

“My aim was to try and tell the stories of the people who make the gins as much as it was the gins themselves.

“It’s been a tough few years for everyone involved in the industry and highlighting the success of these producers and the wonderful gins they make, was a great way to show that Scotland really is one of the best places in the world for producing food and drink – be that traditional spirits like whisky or newer examples like gin.”

The Scottish Gin Bible. Photo: Black and White Publishing

The book encourages readers to look closer to home to find the local gin brands on their doorstep, rather than buying just from the big-name brands.

Charlie Leckie, 1881 brand manager, said: “It’s a great honour to see 1881 Gin included in The Scottish Gin Bible. It is brilliant to see so many distilleries of all sizes included within the publication, it is a great way to celebrate Scottish gins. We have a fascinating history at 1881 Distillery and all of our products tell the story of a critical point from our past.

“While the Borders isn’t as well known for distilling as the Scottish Highlands or West Coast of Scotland, in recent years we have seen the growth and progression of multiple distilleries in the Borders, all producing fantastic products, with their own differentiating features and stories behind them.

“We are extremely lucky to have such beautiful surroundings in the Borders and access to lots of Scottish grown botanicals – resulting in a true Scottish product, putting the Borders on the map.”

Readers are also given cocktail recipes using spirits found in the Borders such as a Kerr’s Flora from The Borders Distillery to a Negroni with 1881 Honours Gin.

Sean wrote the book during the pandemic which meant he couldn’t visit all of the distilleries he would have liked. However, he did manage a trip to Hawick.

He said: “I did manage to make my way to the Borders Distillery and found their set up is both stunning to look at, and absolutely fascinating to see in operation.

“I can’t recommend their tour enough and can’t wait to also try their whisky – which I know will be on a par with both their gin and their vodka. And Peebles Hydro and their 1881 Gin School are very much at the top of my hit list this summer.”

The Scottish Gin Bible was published on April 21 and is available to purchase from Waterstones or from Black and White Publishing: blackandwhitepublishing.com/products/the-scottish-gin-bible