Craft Distillery is located in Newton Stewart in the Galloway Hills in Scotland. The distillery is a relatively new investment (founded in 2017) for the area and celebrates local inredients and aims to involve customers in the development of the brands before sending to market. Despite being new, the customers and experience at developing great flavours and the marketing behind it has let to the gin winning awards. The distillery was built by local builder using wood from a local sawmill. The ingredients in the products are also local - Scottish grain, Noble Fir needles and Bladderwrack Seaweed.
The tour describes the founding of the company as very much a local one and invested in the area, the process of gin-making and seeking the best flavours through experienced staff and the right equipment.
On my visit, the gin factory was not in operation due to staff holidays, so I could not see the gin being made. It is made in small batches, however, and we were explained the process and flavours used.
After the tour and talk, we were shown to our seats to have the tastings of three different products and a mixer for each. The Hills & Harbour Gin was paired with Franklin & Sons Indian Tonic Water. This is the double gold winner gin and is a refreshing and balanced taste of fir, juniper, and citrus. It was served with a slice of mango.
The second gin tried was the Smokey & Citurs Distilled Cocktail (not a gin but a blend, which cannot be legally called a "gin"). It was paired with Franklin & Sons Pineapple and Almond soda. Fruit is used to give the gin flavour, and it was served with a slice of orange.
The last alcohol tasting was the Galloway Vodka, which was served with a lime to take the edge off. It was paired with Franklin & Sons Brewed Ginger Beer, which tasted lovely. I am not normally a fan of ginger beer, but this went down a treat. Cream soda, biscuit, and toffee are described as the flavours of the vodka. It is a 7-day fermentation process and a 24-hour filteration process through coconut shells.
After the tastings, visitors could spend some time in the shop and purchase the products to take home or join the distillery club to try the new whiskey that they are seeking to produce.
This was an excellent tour, and I was blown away by the knowledge and the product quality. If you're in the area, stop by and do the tour and tasting.
Leave a comment