Aberdeen Incredible Lucky City
Aberdeen Incredible Lucky City
Just south of Alford in Aberdeenshire, Craigievar castle is like something out of a fairy tale. It has a distinctive pink colour, and in fact some people say it was the inspiration for the castle used in the Disney logo.
IT’S ONE OF THE UK’S LUCKIEST CITIES (SO MAYBE BUY A LOTTERY TICKET WHILE YOU’RE THERE)
First things first, how likely are you to win the lottery while there? The answer is “surprisingly likely” – Aberdeen has had more than 40 lottery millionaires, making it one of the luckiest cities in the entirety of the UK. If you’re a lottery player, you never know what life in Aberdeen might bring!
Aberdeen Incredible Lucky City
Aberdeen
Aberdeen Incredible Lucky City
Aberdeen, officially Aberdeen City, is a council area with the official title of city, with a population of 228,000 in the northeast of Scotland. It is located in the county of Aberdeenshire and is an independent council area. Aberdeen is located on the North Sea and is the third largest city in Scotland after Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Aberdeen area has seen human settlement for at least 8,000 years. The city began as two separate burghs: Old Aberdeen at the mouth of the river Don; and New Aberdeen, a fishing and trading settlement, where the Denburn waterway entered the river Dee estuary. The earliest charter was granted by William the Lion in 1179 and confirmed the corporate rights granted by David I.
Arrochar Alps gin Distillery.
Arrochar Alps Gin Ballyhenan Church, Tarbet G83 7DA, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Born from a love of Scotland and the incredible beauty of the landscape around us as well as a desire, through the early days of the pandemic, to ensure the livelihoods of our staff members, Arrochar Alps Gin was created.
We are a family business and our story begins with the great man pictured below – Richard (Dick) Mabon – whose passion for nature, wildlife and hill-walking lives on through his daughter, Jane Anderson.
Jane, now the co-owner of Arrochar Alps Gin, has vivid memories of lung-busting hikes and heel-blistering walks along the West Highland Way and picnics at the highest points across Ayrshire, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and beyond.
With hill-top views and aromas that have to be lived and breathed to be believed, we wanted to bring this to life through our distinctive, Scottish infusions.
Arrochar Alps Gin, The Cobbler.
We use the finest locally-sourced botanics including wild mint, Scots pine, Scottish oats, cardamom and a hint of citrus to produce our debut offering ‘The Cobbler’ – a Scottish-style dry gin best served over ice with a splash of tonic and a slice of orange. ABV: 40%
SONSIE SCOTTISH GIN
The word Sonsie is an old Scottish word for good luck or good fortune, optimistic and welcoming. Sonsie Scottish Gin takes the concept of this word and translates it into a Scottish Gin that’s warming, sweet and fresh. Distilled using honey, oats and Scottish berries, the flavour profile is an ode to the classic Scottish dessert Cranachan, minus the whisky element. Red berries combine with oats and honey to create a gin that’s got deep fruity notes, a mouthfeel with some richness and cream, along with a sweetness on the finish.
Lost Loch Spirits
Lost Loch Spirits is owned and operated by Pete Dignan & Rich Pierce. The distillery plan was hatched as many great plans are, during a late-night drinking session.
Everything we do is all for the love of distilling, and the three things that are important at Lost Loch are the place, the process, and the spirits.
The Place – The Lost Loch Spirits distillery is in the heart of Royal Deeside, 30 miles west of Aberdeen. The distillery is built on the banks of the now drained Loch Auchlossan or the Lost Loch. The landscape and the history surrounding us seep into the storytelling, flavours, and the branding.
City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Welcome to the City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School – the first distillery in Aberdeen for nearly 80 years and home to the Aberdeen Gin School.
Owned and run by two friends, the distillery is situated in the heart of the Scottish City of Aberdeen (the Silver City with the Golden Sands), within a historic railway arch where true small batch Aberdeen Gins are designed and distilled.
The distillery is open to visitors who are invited to sample from the demi-johns (fill a bottle), enjoy a Distillery Tour, Gin Tasting Masterclass or even distil your very own 70cl bottle of gin at the Gin School Experience.
Gin Tasting Masterclass
Have you ever wondered what Juniper tastes like? Would you like to become an expert gin taster?
Starting with a double G&T and led by the Head Distiller, the Gin Tasting Masterclass opens up a world of flavour as you experience flavours through a range of single distillates.
Each botanical found in a traditional London Dry Gin has been individually distilled so you may train your palate to recognise the distinct flavours the come together to make gin.
Next, become a mixologist and blend these distillates together to create your own glass of gin.
Put your new found skills to the test with a challenge – a mystery botanical as a single distillate – can you guess what botanical has been distilled based on flavour?
Enjoy samples from the range of Aberdeen Gins – served directly from beautiful French glass demi-johns – both London Dry and Fruit Gins.
Finally, choose your preferred gin from the range and sip a final G&T as the event concludes with a Q&A session – the perfect time to ask all those gin related questions, such as… Why is gin so popular? How long can I keep my gin? What should I look for when purchasing gin? When is a fruit gin not a gin? Is London Dry Gin all from London? Can I make my own gin at home?
Aberdeen Incredible Lucky City
Scottish Bramble Gin
Scottish Bramble Gin is a true fruit gin made with real Scottish fruit.
Scottish Brambles are full of flavour – perfect for desserts, smoothies, fruit pies, breakfast, you name it – Scottish Brambles are delicious. However, distilling a gin that could stand up to or even sing alongside such flavour was a challenge.
The colour of the gin is dark and mysterious – this is simply the wonderful colour of Scottish Brambles.
The gin is imbued with warming notes of Cassia, Black Pepper and exotic Cubeb Berries. These flavours combine with Scottish Brambles to give a rich and luxurious experience.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Scottish Bramble Gin is a true fruit gin made with real Scottish fruit.
Scottish Brambles are full of flavour – perfect for desserts, smoothies, fruit pies, breakfast, you name it – Scottish Brambles are delicious. However, distilling a gin that could stand up to or even sing alongside such flavour was a challenge.
The colour of the gin is dark and mysterious – this is simply the wonderful colour of Scottish Brambles.
The gin is imbued with warming notes of Cassia, Black Pepper and exotic Cubeb Berries. These flavours combine with Scottish Brambles to give a rich and luxurious experience.
TASTING NOTES
The Nose
Jammy notes of Scottish Brambles with refreshing notes of spice.
The Palate
Uplifting cubeb berries give way to the deep luxurious nature of brambles supported by a warmth of cassia.
The Finish
Smooth earthy florality of black pepper and of course the lasting notes of real Scottish Brambles.
ABERDEEN GIN – FRESH GIN 42.0% ABV
Our aim was to craft a classic yet vibrant, uplifting and refreshing gin. This is best achieved by distilling the gin fresh in small batches and using hand prepared citrus to ensure the best possible flavour.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Best enjoyed Fresh
What food tastes best? When it’s Fresh of course. It’s the same with gin.
Fresh Gin is literally that – Fresh – distilled every few weeks to a classic London Dry recipe.
However, great care is taken in it’s preparation – citrus botanicals are hand prepared by the head distiller to capture the best of the zest for a uniquely uplifting flavour – ideal gin for the garden this summer.
Always new. Always fresh. Always refreshing.
To serve, add 50ml Fresh Gin to a balloon glass filled with ice, top up with a light tonic water for an uplifting and refreshing G&T. – why not try making one of the cocktails below with Fresh Gin?
TASTING NOTES
The Nose
Classic gin botanicals with a distinct citrus aroma.
The Palate
Uplifting grapefruit and orange, followed by distinct classic gin flavours.
The Finish
A long lasting sweet note from the citrus, finishing with the citrus pepper spice of Moroccan coriander.
ABERDEEN GIN – 1860 / 42.0% ABV
1860 is a recipe based on a historic book uncovered by the Head Distiller.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
As a result of exhaustive research into the history of gin, Alan, the Head Distiller, recently uncovered long lost gin recipes contained within a book dating back to 1860! This date falls within the golden times of the Victorian era – known for its contributions to literature, art, architecture, and technological advancements. During this period, there were notable achievements in science, industry, and culture, and it laid the foundation for many aspects of modern society.
Aberdeen Gin – 1860 is a gin recipe adapted from this celebrated era. While respecting the original recipe, we have made some modern-day improvements, such as the use of premium organic neutral grain spirit and the use the latest in distilling technology and innovation.
Interesting dates in 1860
- April 9 – French typesetter Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville creates a recording of the French folk song Au clair de la lune with his phonautograph, producing the world’s earliest known intelligible sound recording of the human voice (however, it was not rediscovered until 2008).
- May 1 – A Chondrite-type meteorite falls to earth in Muskingum County, Ohio, near the town of New Concord.
- August 22 – Assisted by the British Navy, the troops of Giuseppe Garibaldi cross from Sicily to the Italian mainland.
- September 3–5 – The First International Chemistry Congress is held in Karlsruhe, Baden.
- November 6 – 1860 United States presidential election: Abraham Lincoln defeats John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas, and John Bell, and is elected as the 16th President of the United States, the first Republican to hold that office.
- December 1 – Charles Dickens publishes the first installment of Great Expectations in his magazine All the Year Round.
- December 29 – The world’s first ocean-going (all) iron-hulled and armoured battleship, the (British) HMS Warrior, is launched.
Other noteworthy mentions from 1860
- Discovery of the chemical elements: Robert Bunsen discovers caesium and rubidium.
- German chemist Albert Niemann makes a detailed analysis of the coca leaf, isolating and purifying the alkaloid, which he calls cocaine.
- TAG Heuer watchmaker founded in Bern Canton, Switzerland.
TASTING NOTES
The Nose
Classic juniper pine and orange with pepper undertones.
The Palate
The classic bold pine notes of Juniper, complemented with notes of lemon from the coriander and a subtle spice/earth notes.
The Finish
A combination of pepper notes, along with a slightly dry woody note of angelica.
Also in Aberdeen / Aberdeen Beach
Stretching for almost 3.5 km between the mouth of the Don River and the fishing pier, Aberdeen Beach is a popular spot that hosts a cool choice of activities. The promenade along the beach gives great strolling, jogging and cycling opportunities, while the beach itself is always popular with children who can play in its golden sand. Bars and restaurants as well as the Codona’s Amusement Park can be found along the beach esplanade.
Locatie: Beach Esplanade, Sea Beach, Aberdeen AB24 5NS, UK
Dunnottar Castle
Step back in time at an impressive seaside castle
Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress perched on a rocky headland overlooking the North Sea, 23 km south of Aberdeen. Originally built in the early Middle Ages, the remaining buildings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle and its surroundings are simply stunning. You feel like you are in a historical movie and would not be surprised to see knights in armour riding their horses next to the fortress. Be aware that you need to climb a lot of steps to get up to the castle.
Locatie: Stonehaven AB39 2TL, UK
Openingstijden: Summer: daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Winter: daily at 10 am (closing times vary)
Go dolphin spotting
See bottlenose dolphins from a high vantage point
It seems strange to join the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for an exciting dolphin watching session, their van at the Torry Battery, just south of the River Dee’s mouth, offers just that.
Between May and August, they offer top-notch binoculars and telescopes for you to see the bottlenose dolphins and sometimes other marine mammals such as seals or even whales swimming in the North Sea.
A pair of good walking shoes and warm, waterproof clothing are all that you need to enjoy this great encounter with wildlife.
Locatie: Greyhope Road, Aberdeen, AB11 8QX, UK
Openingstijden: April–August: Thursday–Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Enjoy seafood by the Aberdeen Harbour
Indulge in delicious fish, crustaceans and shellfish
Scallops, prawns, herring, mussels, and more – the types of seafood caught along the 170 km coastline of Aberdeenshire seem endless. If you’re a seafood lover, the Aberdeen Harbour area is especially recommended.
The Silver Darling is a long-established modern restaurant in a vintage building on Pocra Quay, in the old fishing village of Footdee, at the eastern end of the harbour.
Moonfish Cafe is a small, quaint seafood brasserie on Correction Wynd.
Bistro Verde is a cool seafood bistro on The Green. It’s reputed for its excellent service and unpretentious atmosphere.
Music Hall Aberdeen
Spend the evening in a historical concert hall
Originally built in 1822, the Music Hall Aberdeen is a 1,300-seat concert hall at which you can see a great range of shows. Regularly hosting large orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, you also can attend comedy shows, pop/rock concerts and musical theatre shows here.
Featuring lovely architectural details and excellent acoustics, the size of the venue makes it intimate enough to properly see the stage and fully enjoy the shows. A coffee shop is available inside the venue.
Locatie: Union St, Aberdeen AB10 1QS, UK
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