The Gin Cooperative

08/04/2026

There’s something quietly compelling about being invited behind the scenes of a distillery, to see not just the finished spirit in the glass, but the people, decisions and craft that shape it.

That’s exactly what Tayport Distilleryare now offering with the launch of their dedicated YouTube channel. Through a series of videos, they’re opening the doors to their distillery, sharing the story of the people behind the business, and giving a closer look at the processes that define their spirits.

What makes their story particularly distinctive is Tayport Distillery are among the very few distilleries in Scotland who produce their own base alcohol for their Scottish Gin from scratch, a time-intensive and technically demanding approach.

07/04/2026

We’re currently working on and finalising an in-depth editorial feature exploring Scottish Gin in numbers.

This is something we’ve been building over time — carefully collecting, reviewing and analysing data to better understand how the Scottish Gin category has developed, evolved and where it stands today.

From the number of businesses who have released their first Scottish Gin, to regional insights, production trends and the role different types of businesses have played in shaping the category, this feature aims to provide a clear, considered and meaningful overview of Scottish Gin through data.

It’s been a fascinating process, and one that has reinforced just how much passion, creativity and effort has gone into building the category over the years by so many businesses.

It's also highlighted the challenges many Scottish Gin brands and producers are facing.

2019 - 2025 - 32 businesses have called time on their Scottish Gin business and brand.

2019 - 1 business ceased trading
2020 - 2 businesses ceased trading
2021 - 1 business ceased trading
2022 - 3 businesses ceased trading
2023 - 6 businesses ceased trading
2024 - 4 businesses ceased trading
2025 - 15 businesses ceased trading

The 32 businesses were:

15 distillery businesses

12 Scottish Gin Businesses (businesses who have their Scottish Gin(s)s made under contract for them by a 3rd party distillery)

5 Scottish Spirits Businesses (businesses who have their Scottish Gin(s)s and at least 1 other spirit - vodka, rum, blended whisky etc all made under contract for them by a 3rd party distillery)

Although we're not including 2026 data in our editorial, it's 5 businesses so far this year have called time.

We'll be sharing the final editorial feature in due course.

07/04/2026

Congratulations Deerness Distillery - Stuart, Adelle and all the team, past and present.

31/03/2026

New look Hills & Harbour Gin from Hills and Harbour Spirits

26/03/2026

We were very sorry to read the news that Ross and Alyson have announced their retirement and plans to close Linlithgow Distillery this year, but also full of admiration for everything they have achieved over the years. Over that time, they have always been generous with their time and support, and it has been a pleasure to share conversations, ideas and ambitions for the Scottish Gin category.

The passion, care and pride they put into everything they created at Linlithgow Distillery was always clear to see, not only in the spirits they produced, but in how they were presented and in the way they represented Linlithgow and their local community.

They have been a fantastic example of what makes Scottish craft distilling so special — independent, creative, personal, and rooted in place.

Businesses like Linlithgow Distillery are a reminder that the strength of the Scottish Gin category has never just been about numbers, growth or trends, but about the people behind the stills. Their hard work, commitment and determination to do things properly have all played a part in helping build the reputation that Scottish Gin enjoys today.

We wish Ross and Alyson a long, happy and well-earned retirement, and hope the months ahead give many people the chance to pick up a bottle and say thank you in person. Linlithgow Distillery will always be part of the story of Scottish Gin, and we will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Ross and Alyson and to showcase their brilliant brand and business through our website and content.

Welcome to Linlithgow Distillery, an award winning craft distillery producing a range of gin, vodka & rum. Click & collect and UK wide delivery available.

26/03/2026

Congratulations to Hrafn Gin and Lost Loch Spirits as they start a new chapter in their story of Scottish Gin and Scottish Spirits.

The new owners said the acquisition would protect, support and grow the firm.

23/02/2026

Something new from Hendrick's Gin

Hendrick’s Gin invites curious imbibers to discover another wonderous side of the gin brand with the release of Another Hendrick’s. The first new permanent addition to its line up in nine years, the wondrous new spirit celebrates another side of Hendrick’s personality, infused with marvellous rose and cucumber, and layered with bright, light orange blossom and decadent, silky-smooth cacao beans housed in a striking white bottle.

Inspired by her love for chocolate and flowers, Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie set out to solve the creative conundrum of creating a gin containing cacao, which so few do. With the imagination to look beyond the obvious and make the improbable possible, Lesley used her penchant for chocolate and inspiration from the hothouses at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace to create Another’s Hendrick’s, enhancing the characteristic Hendrick’s flavour with velvety rich notes of cacao and bright citrus elements for a smooth finish.

“Another Hendrick’s is the complete opposite of what we’ve been doing for the past 25 years, and the delectable combination of orange blossom and cacao beans is really rather unusual,” said Lesley Gracie, Hendrick’s Master Distiller. “As a spirit with endless possibilities, I wanted to find a way to combine two of my favourite things in a way that felt authentic to Hendrick’s. After experimenting with different elements from the Hendrick’s Gin Palace’s tropical greenhouse, I discovered this brilliant profile featuring a depth of flavour, hint of sweetness and lift of freshness that is completely distinctive”

It’s truly very Hendrick’s to take two things and create something sublimely distinctive and different. There’s always been a duality that exists in Hendrick’s – the unusual duo of rare stills makes sure of that, simultaneously offering both complexity and lightness. The odd infusion of cucumber and rose has been the distinctive signature of Hendrick’s since its inception. And now there’s a new beyond-the-obvious gourmet combination of orange blossom and cacao that tastes and feels very Hendrick’s indeed.

“Hendrick’s has always been a brand that leads with creativity and originality, subverting category norms and conventions as a matter of course,” said Nora Torpey, Hendrick’s Global Brand Managing Director. The release of Another Hendrick’s supercharges this and is far more than a line extension. By releasing ‘another’ side of ourselves, we make Hendrick’s more dynamic, more culturally resonant, and more powerfully positioned to lead the next era of premium spirits growth.”

Another Hendrick’s celebrates the duality that exists not only in the brand but all of us. Identical in its core qualities to the classic Hendrick’s Gin, but different in how it evokes them, bringing forward a new generation of gin lovers. The only innovation in the brand’s history to be launched globally across all markets, it marks the start of an extraordinary year ahead for Hendrick’s, dotted with experiential events set to redefine the category once more.

“Our signature serve, The Hendrick’s Spritz, balances our crisp gin with olive brine and the delicate flavor of apple and prosecco to result in a refreshing pre-dining cocktail. Now, we’ve added Another Hendrick’s Spritz to our lineup, harmonizing citrus notes for a vibrant cocktail that allows the gin to sing,” said Charmaine Thio, Hendrick’s Global Brand Ambassador. “This serve blends Another Hendrick’s Gin with apple juice, prosecco, soda and splash of cherry liqueur for a rose tint, finished with our signature cucumber slices, a cocktail cherry and a lemon twist. A light and refreshing offering that balances the sweetness of the fruits with the pull of cacao.”

Learn more about Hendrick's Gin here - https://thegincooperative.com/gin-maker/hendricks-gin/

02/02/2026

Behind the Scenes - Galloway Distillery

We visited the new look Galloway Distillery in October 2025 to learn more about the changes and plans for the future. We'd visited the distillery many times before so it was great to see just how much had changed since the distillery transitioned to the Galloway Distillery.

Now the official brand home of Sassenach Spirits and Hills and Harbour Spirits it was nice to see the spirit of craft reflected in some of the developments including the newly refurbished outdoor area, refreshed shop and tasting area along with a range of locally made ceramics and other gifts, all sit well alongside the range of spirits available in the shop.

Big thanks to the Galloway Distillery team for the warm welcome and showing us around the new distillery space and chatting all things Scottish spirits. Some very exciting plans in store for the distillery and brands and we very much look forward to visiting again.



Images: ©The Gin Cooperative

10/12/2025

Something new from the good folks at Shetland Reel and inspired by the amazing work currently on-going at the Saxa Vord Space Port just a short distance from the distillery.

En***eered just a stone’s throw from SaxaVord Spaceport, Good Heavens is now shipping across the UK this festive season.

To mark the release of our space industry spirit, there's free shipping on the first 50 orders. Just use code WELLIES at checkout.

Shop Now ➡ https://bit.ly/GHGin

04/12/2025

Eight years ago today, we set out with a simple idea: to champion Scottish Gin and the people, passion and places behind it and showcase it to a global audience. What began as a small, independent project with the backing and support of a number of Scottish Gin brands and producers quickly grew into a positive voice for the Scottish Gin category and a platform dedicated to celebrating the passion, skill, storytelling and the incredible diversity found across Scotland’s gin landscape.

Today, The Gin Cooperative stands as a living archive of the category, shaped by hundreds of distilleries, brands, makers and supporters who believed in what we set out to build.

Over the years, we’ve profiled over 800 Scottish Gins and over 140 Scottish Gin brands, shared the stories of the makers, explored Scotland’s gin making landscapes, and helped consumers discover the depth and quality that defines Scottish Gin. From our original content to the launch of International Scottish Gin Day, the continued growth of ScottishGin.com and launching The Gin Cooperative Awards, every milestone has been made possible through collaboration — with the industry, with the supply chain, with the community, and with those who share our love for great Scottish spirits.

What has always mattered most is authenticity: giving distillers a platform, giving drinkers clarity and inspiration, and giving the category the recognition it deserves. Eight years on, we remain proudly independent and committed to raising standards, telling meaningful stories, innovating through new projects, and making Scottish Gin accessible to everyone — from seasoned enthusiasts to curious newcomers discovering their first bottle.

Over the last two years, we’ve been heavily focused on running and growing our specialist online Scottish Gin shop, ScottishGin.com. With only the two of us in the business, this has meant our editorial output has been minimal. However, with 2026 just around the corner, we’re looking forward to publishing lots of new editorial content and sharing the evolving story of Scottish Gin with our audience.

As we celebrate our eighth year, we want to say thank you. Thank you to the distilleries who opened their doors, the makers who shared their craft, the visitors who visited our website and our social media followers who return again and again, and the community who continue to champion what we do. The journey is far from over, and the best chapters are yet to be written. Here’s to eight remarkable years, and to the future of Scottish Gin.

Cheers

Natalie and Martin Reid
The Gin Cooperative Co-Founders

Images from some of our distillery visits over the last two years:

Visiting the newly opened Galloway Distillery to learn more about the new look distillery.

Discussing Scottish Gin with Lesley Gracie (Hendrick's Gin creator and Master Distiller) at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace where we presented her with the Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award.

Discovering the newly opened Edinburgh Gin Distillery located in the heart of Scotland’s capital city.

Out foraging and learning about the botanicals on our doorstep here in Aberdeenshire with Andrew Smith, co-founder of Little Brown Dog Spirits who also happen to be our nearest distillery producing Scottish Gin.

04/12/2025

A new Scottish Gin from GlenWyvis Distillery supporting a good cause.

GlenWyvis Distillery has unveiled a limited-edition charity Scottish Gin created in partnership with Highland Hospice, supporting the organisation’s vital work across the Highlands. True to GlenWyvis’ community-driven ethos, a share of proceeds from every bottle will go directly toward specialist care for individuals and families affected by life-limiting illness, grief, and bereavement. Crafted by distiller Kevin Cameron-Ross, the gin takes inspiration from an upcoming fundraising expedition to Machu Picchu, featuring a mix of classic gin botanicals and adventurous South American botanicals including camu camu, tonka bean, and inca berry for a flavour profile as bold as the challenge itself.

The collaboration celebrates the determination of Bryson’s Bravehearts, group of Inverness friends honouring their late friend, Stewart Bryson, who are tackling the Machu Picchu trek after previously completing other fundraising events including the Loch Ness Marathon. GlenWyvis distillery manager Craig MacRitchie and Highland Hospice’s Karen Duff both hailed the partnership as a powerful example of community spirit and a meaningful way for the public to support hospice care.

Beautifully crafted and released just in time for Christmas, this special bottling offers Scottish Gin lovers the chance to raise a glass while making a genuine difference.

28/11/2025

EXCLUSIVE WEEKEND OFFER

Start Christmas shopping early with FREE UK DELIVERY on all orders and products. Valid until midnight on Monday.

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Photo: The Gin Cooperative