Plus their Christmas gin baubles sparked a national craze when they sold out in record time when they launched in 2017. We in The Spirits Business editorial team have tried our fair share of gins in our time, but for World Gin Day (11 June), we’ve decided to look to the smaller, independent brands that have left a lasting impression on us. If you're a fan of gin but want to know more about how the spirit is made, there are plenty of Scottish gin distilleries that you can visit for a tour or as part of a day trip. Tours are from 12-6pm, Saturday to Thursday, and visitors can hear more about the Persie story and the gin botanicals as well as sampling before buying. Visitors can see the gin still, Big Don, and try some of the products available before ending with a gin and tonic in the tasting room. Drivers will be given a 5cl miniature to take away and enjoy later.

Persie Distillery has generated not merely a product but a comprehensive gin-drinking experience that plays eloquently to the senses, bridging the olfactory and the gustatory in a harmonious ballet of scents and flavours. Their offerings, while varied, adhere unwaveringly to a standard of quality and aromatic excellence, ensuring that each bottle encapsulates the precise, meticulous craftsmanship synonymous with the Persie name. Fans of both whisky and gin will enjoy this newly opened visitor experience at the Benromach Distillery in Speyside. Persie creates aromatic, distinctive gins from its distillery at the base of Glenshee. Gayle Ritchie meets founders Chrissie and Simon Fairclough (and the dogs who’ve inspired some expressions of the tipple!)Luxury gift box branded with the Persie logo. Available in sets of 20cl bottles. Contains postcards and tasting notes. Especially in light of Covid-19 restrictions, it is advisable to book in advance and ensure you are aware of the procedures, such as the requirement to wear a face mask. What about if you’re the designated driver? The Persie story began in 2013 when the couple, who then lived in Edinburgh, were looking for a change of lifestyle. The results are highly regarded as they are independently audited by a panel of experts and judged live in a rigorously assessed blind tasting event.

Step 3: Find a favourite picture. This could be of your friend or family member, their much loved holiday destination, their dog, cat or budgie! Ideally the picture should be in portrait format, but we can work with most of what we’re sent. One thing worth remembering, though – dark colours won’t print as well on a label. Upload your image using the link below. (*NOTE If you are choosing the Wordle or Keep Calm designs you don’t need to upload anything.) The tour concludes with a full tasting of the distillery's gins, vodka and rum, and a drink of choice will be poured to enjoy with a selection of canapés. The ultimate award, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, was presented for a second year in a row to North Uist Distillery. They also collected the award for Best New Product of the Year for their Downpour Coast & Croft Gin. Please call for time-sensitive enquiries only as our small team is often busy distilling, bottling and running tours! Directions Vanilla ice cream on the nose, with butterscotch sauce and almonds. A creamy, full-bodied gin, with a nutty gingerbread finish.The gins have been well received, but in an exceptionally crowded market, Fairclough undoubtedly has a fight on his hands. He’s branded them well; the 50cl bottles are identical, though each is marked with a splash of colour on the label to hint at the contents within. The tapered bottles are neat, and the logo, in a handwritten font, adds a personal touch, reminding you that this is very much a small, hands on business. Locally, Fairclough has something of a useful tool with which to promote Persie, too – the gin club.