With tonic I’d pair it with either Fever-Tree Mediterranean or a classic Indian such as Franklin & Sons or Fever-Tree. The distiller’s recommended garnish of orange peel is where I’d go too, enhancing the citrus in the gin. If you want something a little sweeter, a wedge works well too. A mixture of maceration and vapour infusion techniques are utilised to create the delightful flavour profile of Edinburgh Gin. The process used depends on the suitability for each botanical, of which there are 14. These are: juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, orange peel, lavender, mulberries, pine buds, lemongrass, cobnuts, lime peel, cassia bark, milk thistle, liquorice root. An intriguing mix of traditional and contemporary.

The navy proof Cannonball Gin is the first ever speciality gin to be made at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery – it is a real blast from the past, and at 57% ABV it resurrects an old-style of gin commissioned by the British Navy. Combining their London style gin – created using several botanicals including Macedonian juniper, coriander seed and Italian orris root – with whisky style maturation, the gin is ‘rested’ in American oak casks to gives it that wonderful golden colour and rich, creamy vanilla tones. Recommended garnish: Orange zest and thin twist of peel The Scottish Ginfographic. Picture: 5pm.co.uk Edinburgh started its long association with gin in the 1700s. The Netherlands was a key trading partner for Scotland and as a result genever, was imported in vast quantities into the city’s port of Leith.Partnering with the city’s Heriot-Watt University, who run the world-renowned Master’s in Brewing and Distilling, Edinburgh Gin have a well established link with the local university. Indeed, many of their distillers were educated there, including head distiller David Wilkinson. NB claim that no matter the demand for their product they will only ever produce in small batches to ensure their gin is as perfect as they can make it and remains hand-crafted. They recently hosted the Brit awards after party so it’s clear that it’s that not only gin lovers taking notice but also music royalty are too. Eden Mill try to source most of their botanicals locally from places such as St Andrews gardens and they are keen to create seasonal small batch gins, using different botanicals. So watch this space. Spencerfield Spirit Co. was founded by Alex and Jane Nicol in 2005. The husband and wife team initially focussed on whisky, using Alex’s knowledge of the market from his time at Beefeater and Glenmorangie to build the brand. With its signature botanicals listed as orange peel, mulberries, pine buds, lavender and lemongrass, the tasting notes aren’t too surprising – but sometimes surprises aren’t always best! There’s a big juniper hit up front on the nose, with citrus not far behind.

Like an enlightened version of the gin craze era, craft gin distilleries are popping up all across the UK as well as globally. However, it's those gin distilleries in our little corner of the world that are making some big waves.The flexibility of the recipes and relative simplicity of its production makes gin the perfect spirit for those looking to create and sell their own brand. Edinburgh Gin have two distilleries – the original west end location, which is also their visitor centre, and the Biscuit Factory in Leith, Edinburgh’s spiritual home of gin. Made using only eight botanicals, NB claims that it only needs those eight to create a classic gin. Judging by the response they’ve received since their creation – they won a silver medal at the Gin masters awards at the first time of asking – it certainly looks they are doing something right.

With the gin originally created at Langley Distillery, they launched their own distillery and visitor centre in 2014. (As a side note, it’s a great distillery to visit, with a range of tour options. There are two custom bottles proudly on display at From the Gin Shelf HQ from our own ‘Gin Making Tour’. Highly recommended!)Named in celebration of the moment that Mary Queen of Scots first spied her husband-to-be Lord Darnley at Wemyss Castle in 1565, Darnley's view is produced by the Wemyss (that's weems not weemiss or weemees) family in Fife. This traditionally-made spirit is a London gin made with six carefully selected botanicals to a recipe held by the family. However, it is the unusual spiced gin made with nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves that really stands out.

Gleann Mor Whisky Company, which is better known for its excellent range of independently bottled whiskies has decided to create its own spirit, the wonderfully rich Firkin Gin. Strathearn distillery is making waves not only in the world of gin but also the world of whisky. Scotland's newest micro-distillery and probably also the smallest commercial distillery, Strathearn produce three main gins currently; the Classic, the Heather Rose gin and the Oaked Highland gin.The team at Spencerfield Spirit have of course given it their own distinctive twist with some tasting help from the team at Heads & Tales Gin Emporium. It’s well known it takes at least three years to create a legal Scotch whisky. But this Scottish spirit takes just three days! On the first day the still is filled with grain neutral spirit. As with most Scottish gins, and indeed those from throughout the UK, Edinburgh Gin buy this in. To taste, Edinburgh Gin is a triumph! At 43% ABV, it’s certainly not the strongest London Dry you’ll find in today’s market, but on nosing the gin it’s surprising the intensity of the aromas. They’ve combined their Art Deco sentiments with an nod to Edinburgh, and you’ll also see a canon magnified by the gin itself – you could say it’s a warning of what’s held inside…