Check in on gin

THERE’S no question who the cool kid is in the spirits class at the moment as gin sales continue to show double digit growth while innovation and NPD proceeds at pace.

Gin producers have been busy lately, with NPD coming from all angles.

Scottish gin brand Darnley’s Gin has been busy, securing a sponsorship deal with the Ricoh Women’s British Open. The deal sees the brand become the official gin of this year’s Championship.

Dunnet Bay Distillery hasn’t been resting on its laurels either, releasing its latest limited edition, Summer Edition Rock Rose Gin. The summer edition was released to wholesalers and distributors last month with an RRP of £37.50.

Blending exciting botanicals has been at the heart of the gin renaissance that’s been enjoyed by Scottish distillers, and it seems things are no different in Hamburg, Germany.

Elephant Gin, made from a blend of African botanicals, has mixed things up further by joining forces with cocktail slinger Miran Chauhan of Edinburgh bar The Bon Vivant.

And it’s also been all things go at Hayman’s Gin, with the English distillery expanding its range through the reintroduction of traditional London Dry and Old Tom gins.

James Hayman of Hayman’s Gin said: “The resurgence of interest in gin is far from over and we envisage strong ongoing growth within the category for the foreseeable future.

“However we believe that the source of growth will change with a degree of consolidation in the market and a shift of interest away from the search for ‘new’ towards premium, classical gin styles.”