Hydro, Peebles EH45 8LX, UK
1881 Gin Pride of Peebles Scotland
Our Gin Range
“Burbled, steeped and perfected by Peebles”
Award winning 1881 Gin, produced using our own private spring to create a completely unique and delicious spirit.
Explore our gin range, and find your perfect serve!
Our History
Not many hotels are host to a distillery being built upon their Victorian swimming pool, but that didn’t stop our minds from wondering. The idea for the 1881 Distillery came from our history and heritage of tennis. Standing on the steps in front of Peebles hydro, overlooking the old tennis pavilion, reflecting on the days of gin and tonic being a popular tipple on the lawn. Could we use our pavilion to turn our private spring water into Gin?
Absolutely, we could.
1881 Gin Pride of Peebles Scotland / Hydro Peebles
About the Hydro
Hospitality is in our heritage, and the family have been welcoming guests to the hotels since 1868. Peebles Hydro Joined the Crieff Hydro Family of hotels in 2014, and in 2018, The 1881 Distillery was born. Named after the year our Peebles Hydro Home was founded, we’ve channelled the flow of the same mineral-rich spring originally famed for rejuvenating the water treatments to create our ranges of uplifting spirits.
We definitely know how to make people feel at home, which is why we built a gin school and bar right next to the distillery. 26 Mini-stills for you to craft and create your very own bespoke gin, all whilst tasting ours – some ideas are too good to keep to yourself.
1881 Inspiration
Not many hotels are host to a distillery being built upon their Victorian swimming pool, but that didn’t stop our minds from wondering. The idea for the 1881 Distillery came from our history and heritage of tennis. Standing on the steps in front of Peebles hydro, overlooking the old tennis pavilion, reflecting on the days of gin and tonic being a popular tipple on the lawn. Could we use our pavilion to turn our private spring water into Gin?
Our idea quickly grew arms and legs, we swiftly found out that the pavilion was far too small for what we wanted to achieve. Undeterred, we decided to move production into the main hotel. The 1881 Distillery was born – named after the date Peebles Hydropathic Hotel was first opened, and built upon the Victorian swimming pool (Its still beneath the school today)
1881 Gin Pride of Peebles Scotland / Hydro Peebles
Land and Location
Our distillery is located in the heart of the Borders, Peebles.
The distillery itself is within Peebles Hydro Hotel, host to ‘Felicity’ our 150l still built right next to our Gin School which is held upon the original Victorian swimming pool. We have a gin shop within the distillery that has all of our editions, glassware and much more to check out.
Our Distillery
Built on our Victorian Era Swmming Pool
The Process
From our private spring, Sheildgreen, to our bespoke distillation school, the process behind 1881 Gin is one of expertise, history & craftsmanship.
Where 1881 Gin Distillery Began
The idea for The 1881 Gin Distillery came on a summer day, standing in front of the steps to our tennis pavilion on the front lawn. In the 1920s Peebles Hydro had more tennis courts than Wimbledon, and we hosted many a tournament at that time. Gin and tonic was a popular tipple, served on the lawn to the crowds that gathered to watch. Would it be possible to turn water to gin and create our own gin to honour the history of the hotel?
Peebles Hydro has never settled for received wisdom or conventional thinking. A gin distilled with local botanicals, and made with water drawn from a private spring? It’s unheard of – well, almost unheard of
We quickly discovered that the pavilion did not have enough space to house all of our gin distilling equipment. Undeterred, we decided to move production into the main hotel and so The 1881 Distillery was born – named after the date Peebles Hydropathic Hotel was first opened.
Our Distillation Process
Our 1881 Gin was born from the same water that started the story for Peebles Hydro and named after the year which our iconic hotel opened. The local Shieldgreen spring now supplies the gleaming copper stills of our very own distillery and our gin school. Many of the botanicals grown right here in our grounds and our very own tonic water, along with the gin, is trickled, nurtured and perfected by Peebles.
Did you know only our 1881 Gin can draw on the waters of Shieldgreen spring? Only our gin will taste this way. Perfect every time.
Scottish Sloe Gin
Regular price £33.00
Description:
Handpicked sloe berries, picked in the autumn then rested in our signature Hydro gin over the course of 8 months. Before an infusion of natural sugars to balance the flavour profile.
Our Distiller Says:
Our Distiller says: Bursting with the natural flavour of the sloe berries, along with a rich colour profile, and featuring a classic aroma of winter fruits and almond. Supported by juniper and warm spice, resulting in a succulent velvety liquid that caresses your palete.
Nose: Classic aroma of warm winter fruits and almonds.
Palate: Rich, sweet, and warming. A breath of velvety liquid on the palate.
Finish: Natural sloes and sugars, warming you through.
The Perfect Serve:
We suggest you sip, splash, or simmer neat. Alternatively add a lemon tonic water.
70cl – 29% abv
Hydro Gin – 1881 London Dry Gin
Regular price £38.00
Description:
The Shieldgreen Spring flows directly into our Hydro home in the Scottish Borders. A key ingredient, a sustainable source of rejuvenation and the inspiration for our flagship London Dry Gin.
Our Distiller Says:
Only real joy and happiness could flow from a copper still called ‘Felicity’. Serve our Hydro Gin with our or your favourite tonic, a liberal helping of good company and drink -in the serene Scottish borders wherever you are.
Nose: Fresh, piney juniper and fir, with grapefruit citrus and aromatic cardamom.
Palate: Hawthorn, birch and fir back up an initial wave of juniper, giving way to warming cassia and bay.
Finish: A long, smooth, citric finish with bay leaf and subtle earthiness from our local botanicals.
Serve: a large measure of 1881 Hydro Gin with a wedge of pink grapefruit and a splash of premium tonic water allows our 12 local botanicals to shine.
70cl/20cl/5cl – 40% Vol.
Pavilion Gin – 1881 Pink Gin
£ 38.00
Description:
Our home, Peebles Hydro is no stranger to perfect serves. Once overlooking more tennis courts than Wimbledon, our Victorian pavilion now inspires our Borders berry and Hibiscus infused gin.
Our Distiller Says:
Our copper still ‘Felicity’ positively glows when we’re infusing our pink Pavilion Gin, the colour is unmistakable. Pair with our or your favourite tonic, a raspberry or two, fresh mint and taste summer whatever the weather.
Nose: Silky red fruits and cream, backed by juniper, spice and citrus.
Palate: Fresh raspberry complimented by strawberry, hibiscus and gentle spice from cardamom and grains of paradise.
Finish: Creamy fruit, fading to citrus and pine.
Serve: Fresh raspberries and mint compliment a large measure of 1881 Pavilion Gin with premium or elderflower tonic water.
70cl/20cl/5cl – 40% Vol.
Rafters Gin – 1881 Subtly Smoked Gin
Regular price £38.00
Description:
Summer 1905, an inferno engulfs Peebles Hydro. A spark in the roof space the cause, but our home was restored and we remember that resolve with Rafters, a unique, Subtly Smoked revival Gin.
Our Distiller Says:
‘Felicity’ is no stranger to innovation – our still created one of the few smoky gins. Serve our Rafters Gin with our or your favourite tonic, garnish with lime and ginger (Or Chilli) and enjoy the subtly smoky flavour of a gin like no other.
Nose: Subtle but distinct sweet oak smoke, followed by our signature profile of juniper, cardamom and grapefruit.
Palate: Warming smoke and spice intermingle to create a savoury gin suitable for sipping or mixing. The palate develops into juniper freshness backed by citrus.
Finish: A lengthy finish of warm citrus and wisps of smoke draw you back for another sip.
Serve: Sip neat, over ice, or in a G&T with a wedge of lime and a slice of chilli pepper.
70cl/20cl/5cl – 40% Vol.
Honours Gin – 1881 Navy Strength Gin
Regular price £45.00
Description:
Peebles Hydro once served as a Military hospital during WWII. Our award-winning Navy Strength Gin is named Honour of those injured, our heritage of hospitality preserved in waves of citrus and cardamom.
Honours Gin won two awards within its first year of release. The Cardamom and dry citrus notes are all highlighted by the heightened alcohol content, this is unimaginably smooth.
Our Distiller Says:
At 150 L our still ‘Felicity’ may be small but she can pack a punch. Our Navy Strength Gin is testament to that. Serve with our or your favourite tonic, a few dashes of Angostura bitters, a slice of orange and surrender to its irrepressible character.
Nose: Juniper and grapefruit in abundance with a peppery, woody backing supplied by birch bark and angelica root.
Palate: Robust pine flavours with pronounced spice, ginger and grapefruit character held at the fore by the heightened alcohol content.
Finish: Despite its 57%ABV strength, this is an extremely smooth gin, with a rounded and creamy finish that stretches into the distance of the Peeblesshire hills.
Serve: a dash of angostura bitters and tonic water let this navy strength gin’s character shine – garnish with orange peel.
70cl/20cl/5cl – 57% ABV
Today is Armed Forces Day.
We show our respect for serving men and women who bravely protect us all.
Our connection to the military is strong because our home, Peebles Hydro, served as a military hospital in World War II.
Tiffin Gin – 1881 Spiced Gin
Regular price £14.25
Description:
Tiffin Gin is crafted with an unusual set of botanicals like no other, carefully chosen to reflect on Tiffin Gins Unique tasting notes of light aromatic, warming spices. Kaffir lime leaf, cumin and cardamom working together to remind us of the aromatic flavours of spicy cuisine.
Our Distiller Says:
Our copper still ‘Felicity’ is a master of innovation. Tiffin Gin is no change to that. Serve with ginger ale and garnish with dehydrated lime to release the aromatic spices from Tiffin Gin.
Nose: Cumin, juniper, and kaffir lime aromas dance from the surface of this spirit.
Palate: Highly aromatic gin, reminiscent of the spices used in Indian cooking styles, warming and hearty, spicy and playful. Cumin and ginger play with juniper and cardamom.
Finish: At its strength of 45%ABV, Tiffin gin retains essential oils and provides a long coating finish with those intriguing spice notes, supported by the familiarity of juniper and coriander.
The Perfect Serve: A splash of ginger, tonic water or bitter lemon allows the release of aroma oils from the spirit into the glass. Best served alongside (or just before) a hearty Indian meal, to attune the palate and prepare the stomach. Garnish with lime.
70cl / 45% Vol.
The 1881 Bundle
Regular price £199.00
A full case of 6 gins from our range
The case includes:
1 x Hydro Gin 70cl | 40% abv
1 x Rafters Gin70cl | 40% abv
1 x Pavilion Gin 70cl | 40% abv
1 x Honours Gin 70cl | 57% abv
1 x Tiffin Gin 70cl | 45% abv
1 x Sloe Gin | 40% abv
About the Gin School
From splash to sip. The site of the 1881 Distillery Gin School sits on what was once the original hotel swimming pool (a long, long, time ago). A lot has changed since then – these days you’ll find 26 individual copper stills neatly lined in rows and glass jars brimming with botanicals – but the same water still flows down from the hills and into the Hydro as it did 140 years ago.
3-Hour Gin Distiller Experience
This is our ultimate class…We will kick things off with a large gin and tonic to welcome you, followed by an extensive tour around our very own distillery. You’ll get to see exactly what happens behind the scenes at every step of the gin distilling process.
Our distiller will guide you through a distilling class creating and crafting your very own 70cl bespoke gin. We’ll even hold on tight to your recipe card as it does come in handy if you’d like to recreate your gin for birthday presents, special occasions or wedding favours.
Thursday- Sunday Starting at 15:00
– Welcome meal
– Distillery tour
– Gin tasting
– Gin distilling class
– 70cl personalised bottle of gin
– 10% off in the Gin Shop (excludes online)
– £95 per person
Gin Distillery Tour
As well as our gin experiences, we also offer tours of our gin distillery. Of course we’ll begin with a glass of G&T in hand before a lesson in Hydro history and all things gin. Then the tour will move to our gin distillery where you’ll see our famous copper still ‘Felicity’ in action and taste a few of our favourite 1881 gins.
Thursday- Sunday Starting at 13:00
– £30 Per person and includes…
– Welcome drink and savoury nibbles
– 1881 Distillery tour & gin tasters with tonic
– Two 250ml 1881 G&T in a can to take home (Double Gin &tonic!)
– 10% off in the Gin Shop (excludes online)
Overnight Package at Peebles Hydro – Gin Distiller Experience
There’s a time and a place to be the designated driver and this is not it. We’re just under an hour’s drive from Edinburgh city centre, with plenty of parking and 132 bedrooms (not to mention two restaurants, bars, leisure facilities and spa – need we go on?). Take a look at the full Peebles Hydro Hotel Here.
Includes…
– 3-hour Gin Distiller Experience – tour and make your own gin
– Overnight stay for 2 in a double or twin room
– £25 per adult to spend towards dinner in our main restaurant
– Use of leisure facilities and swimming pool
– Hearty Scottish breakfast the next day
– 10% off in the Gin Shop (excludes online)
