There is quite a rivalry going on amongst Gin makers here in the UK. Much like the Calcutta Cup Rugby game the other day between England and Scotland where Scottish pride was evident, the Scottish are taking great pride in their Gins. I had the opportunity to sample two more creations yesterday at a quaint little pub in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh called Ryries.

The first one – I am sure you have had it – was Caorrun Gin. Straight up, room temperature, I got the juniper forward aroma which then ushered me into a nice rounded mouthfeel where I thought I could detect apple. Turns out – I was correct, Caorrun contains apple in its botanical mix.I am told that a good way to navigate Caorrun is straight up, room temperature with a slice of apple in the glass.

The second one I tried was Blackwoods. Never heard of it before. It’s claim to fame is that some of its botanicals ( meadowsweet, cowslip, wild thyme, eyebright) are foraged from the Shetland Islands. Very nice, well rounded when approached straight up at room temperature. I am told that it pairs well with some (not all) of the Fevertree tonic offerings. ch

Clearly I have more research to do when I come back to school here in Edinburgh in August. Meantime, I managed to snag the last seat for a Gin Connoisseur class at Edinburgh Gin later today. But, before I head off to that, it is time to hit the books again. The McCabe-Thiel mathematics of still column plate approximations beckons…