1. Botanicals & Ingredients
Our Scots Pine Gin is a celebration of the forest, crafted using carefully selected botanicals that balance boldness with warmth. The recipe includes:
- Scots Pine Needles (Pinus sylvestris)
- Juniper
- Coriander
- Orange Peel
- Cassia (a type of cinnamon)
- Cardamom
- Angelica
- Almond Flour
Each botanical serves a purpose. The Scots pine needles — handpicked locally — deliver a resinous, menthol-like character, but due to their high oil content, must be used in moderation to avoid cloudiness in the final gin.
Harvesting the pine is a careful, slow process. It can take up to two hours to gather the right amount. We only pick the newer, oil-rich needles and only ever take a small quantity from each tree to preserve its health. The inspiration for this ingredient came from Tentsmuir Forest, located just a stone’s throw from our distillery in Fife — a place that’s long inspired our connection to nature.
2. Distillation Process
While the process follows traditional gin-making principles, developing Scots Pine Gin required extensive experimentation — especially to get the most from the pine needles.
Pre-soaking for maximum flavour
We trialled several techniques before settling on the most effective: soaking the pine needles with juniper and coriander in a 40% spirit solution for 24 hours. This method softens the pine and allows the rich oils to infuse fully before distillation.
Distillation Method
We use an iStill, a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled system that allows us to produce consistently high-quality batches with precise recipe replication.
Key stages:
- Soak 5.2kg juniper, 2.5kg coriander, and Scots pine in 140L of 96% grain neutral spirit + 200L reverse osmosis water for 24 hours (resulting in ~40% ABV).
- After soaking, add another 100L of water to reduce to ~30% ABV before heating.
- Place remaining botanicals (orange peel, cassia, cardamom, almond flour, angelica) into the gin basket for vapour infusion.
Heads, Hearts, and Tails
- Heads: Collected first. High in esters and alcohol-soluble compounds. We discard them in this recipe.
- Hearts: The core of the gin — this is the clean, flavour-rich distillate we preserve.
- Tails: These contain heavier compounds and are excluded from the final product.
We typically collect around 140L of hearts at 70% ABV, which are then gently proofed down to 40% over 2 to 3 weeks. This resting period is essential. It allows the oils to settle and the flavours to harmonise, resulting in a clean, consistent spirit ready for bottling.
3. The Inspiration Behind Scots Pine Gin
All of our spirits are grounded in place — and this one was born directly from our surroundings.
The idea for Scots Pine Gin came during a walk through Tentsmuir Forest with our dog, Jura. The towering pine trees and crisp woodland air sparked a question: what would this forest taste like in a glass?
That spark became a project. And in time, a fully developed spirit. Scots Pine Gin now stands as the winter counterpart to our Wild Rose Gin — where the latter is floral and citrus-led, this gin is deeper, warming, and comfortingly spiced.
4. Flavour & Tasting Profile
Scots Pine Gin captures the essence of Scotland’s woodlands — fresh, wild, and warming. Distilled with local pine needles and selected botanicals, it’s bold but beautifully balanced.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Fresh, menthol-bright pine layered over juniper, with hints of citrus and cinnamon warmth.
Palate:
Resinous and bold. The Scots pine leads with a forest-fresh intensity, rounded by spice, coriander, and sweet citrus. You may detect notes of nutmeg, gingerbread, and a subtle chilli warmth on the back palate.
Finish:
Clean, long, and lingering with juniper and pine dominating, backed by a gentle cinnamon finish.
AWARDS:
Great Taste Awards – 3-Star Winner
“There’s an almost menthol-freshness to the juniper and pine nose, nicely balanced by citrus and cinnamon softness... A complex gin with sufficient intrigue and balance to while away a winter's afternoon contemplatively.”
“Exceptionally clean in the mouth with a sinus-clearing, outdoor freshness... The aftertaste is long, clean and intense with pine and juniper lingering through.”
IWSC - 90 Points
“Think cake spice of gingerbread and nutmeg with a slight chilli heat on the palate. This is an intense and extremely aromatic gin with depth and a complex, long finish.”
5. How to Serve
Classic Gin & Tonic
- 50ml Scots Pine Gin
- 200ml Premium Tonic Water (try Fever-Tree Mediterranean)
- Garnish: Slice of orange or grapefruit
Tayport Gin Sour
- 50ml Scots Pine Gin
- 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15ml Sugar Syrup (1:1 or 2:1 ratio)
- 1 Egg White (optional, for texture)
- Garnish: Lemon twist
- Optional: Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters
In Summary
Scots Pine Gin is more than a spirit — it’s a celebration of the forest that surrounds us. Distilled with precision and care, and inspired by Tentsmuir’s ancient trees, it offers a complex and compelling profile perfect for sipping by the fire or mixing into a seasonal cocktail.
Whether you’re a gin collector, connoisseur, or someone searching for something new and rooted in nature — this gin brings the outside in, one sip at a time.
Our Spirits Range
Scots Pine Gin
Wild Rose Gin
