23 Market Street, Ullapool, Ullapool, Ross-Shire, United Kingdom, IV26 2XE
Highland Liquor Co Launching Fine Gin
The Highland Liquor Co. has grown from the village of Ullapool just as the village grew from the 1788 fishing station planned on the shores of Loch Broom. The original settlement, on Scotland’s West Highland coast, included a boat builder, a rope maker, a cooper, a blacksmith, a fish curer and a mason.
Several of these crafts survive to this day and have been joined by many new makers including The Highland Liquor Co. Back in 1791, the original settlers in the first seven dwellings sought to establish our village by generating growth and this drive continues in the community today. In the spirit of these original settlers, we are the creators of exceptional handmade spirits in the North West Highlands.
We aspire to capture the characters of locally inspired and traditional botanicals that reflect our landscape and heritage to create a premium handmade spirit of national and international repute that tell a tale and inspire many new ones.
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Our Process
Infusion
We give our traditional and signature botanicals the time they need to release their optimal aromas and flavours. Some of these are added straight into the pot, others require a more careful approach and are steamed to preserve their delicate character.
Distillation
Our gins are batch distilled in Little Ella; our beautiful, small copper alembic still. Botanicals and grain spirit are carefully heated over open flames and condensed using fresh highland water. This allows us to extract the perfect flavours that make up our gins.
Maturation
Once we have collected our spirit, we wait. Allowing our gins to become rounded before bottling. We check the flavour and appearance to ensure that our gins are perfect and are ready for you to taste.
Our Gins
Seven Crofts Gin
Seven Crofts is the reason why we embarked on this whole project in the first place and is now available to order from our online shop.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Rich, round aromatic notes of juniper, pepper with a noticeable hint of ripe plum
Taste: Opulent notes of perfumed forest fruit and a suggestion of woodland. The juniper is assertive with spicy hints of coriander and pink pepper and a long, warm finish.
With Tonic: Tonic still allows gin to shine (1 part gin to 2 parts tonic) on the nose. Served with orange slice (massage oils from zest into gin). Palate is balanced with tonic softening the alcohol allowing the distinctive character of the gin to assert itself.
Finish: A fresh, clean G&T with balanced and elegant yet distinctive flavours of juniper, pepper, orchard fruit and a poised, spicy finish.
The Perfect Serve: Serve in a straight glass with lots of ice, a good quality tonic (1 part gin to 2 parts tonic) and garnished with a slice of orange.
Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength Gin
A navy strength bottling of our award winning Seven Crofts Gin.
Tasting Notes
Nose: A powerful nose (as you might expect for a navy strength gin) but definitely juniper led with forest floor notes coming through with ripe blueberry, cracked black pepper, pink pepper and a touch of spicy coriander.
Palate: Assertive (again as you would expect of a higher ABV gin), although once you have grown accustomed to the alcohol, the juniper on the nose presents itself nicely on the palate. Opulent blue and black fruits and baked apple at first with pink pepper coming through, along with coriander which manifests itself particularly on the long lasting, elegant finish.
Palate With Tonic: Use a good neutral tonic. Juniper is prominent yet well-proportioned so it doesn’t clash with the tonic. The pronounced coriander note allows the gin to mix well with the tonic. Pink pepper notes bring a lift to the drink. Overall the flavours are balanced with a long satisfying finish.
The Perfect Serve: Serve in a straight glass with lots of ice, a good quality tonic (1 part gin to 2 parts tonic) and garnished with a slice or twist of orange or mix the perfect martini.
The Ullapool Gin
Harnessing the essence of our local flora, The Ullapool Gin is a superb juniper led spirit. Punchy, spicy notes with an earthy, herbal backbone – reminiscent of the heather covered hills surrounding Loch Broom. A warm, opulent palate with a hint of rowan berry and coriander which balances nicely with the classic gin notes you expect to taste. An amazing gin with any good tonic and a slice of whatever you like (we like an orange slice in our glass).
A gin to remind you of Ullapool whether you are near or far.
The Ullapool Gin is available to buy online from our website and from selected outlets in Ullapool.
The Fort William Gin
A bold, assertive Gin. Earthy notes of juniper underpin an opulent hedgerow fruit character on the palate. Spicy coriander notes and a clean finish with a hint of fresh mint give this gin a perfect balance.
Lovely with the tonic of your choice or as part of your favourite gin based cocktail.
The artwork for the label was designed by local artist Felicity Nightingale.
The Fort William Gin is available to buy online from our website and from our Bottle Shop in Fort William.
Experimental Series
Our Experimental Series was our first born steps into the exciting world of the Spirit industry. Series #1, #2 & #3 have come and gone and now we are launching Experimental Series #4 and #5.Taking inspiration from our landscape, and the people around us. The aim is to produce spirits that are exciting and evocative.
Our Experimental Series are available to buy online and in our Bottle Shops in Ullapool and Fort William.
Tasting Notes
Experimental Series #1
Nose: Aromatic notes of spice, wild herbs and juniper.
Palate: Opulent sweet fruit notes with a spicy, juniper back bone. The assertive coriander and juniper character of the gin mixes nicely with your favourite tonic.
Finish: Long lasting with an elegant citrus and aromatically spiced finish.
Experimental Series #1 is sold out.
Experimental Series #2
Nose: Vivid notes of juniper, orchard fruit notes and aromatic pepper spice note.
Palate: Spicy, crisp and assertive without tonic. With tonic, the coriander element mixes beautifully with the tonic whilst allowing the pink pepper and fruit notes to come through.
Finish: A satisfying gin and tonic (especially served with a garnish of blood orange or pink grapefruit).
Experimental Series #2 is sold out.
Experimental Series #3
Nose: Scents of the forest floor with a twist of pepper and coriander spice and zesty citrus hint.
Palate: Spicy, warm notes of coriander and cinnamon (perhaps a hint of curry powder) with a pleasing juniper and toffee character. With tonic the coriander and juniper come to the fore with a warm, spicy finish. Holds well with the tonic and an orange slice.
Finish: A well flavoured gin to warm those winter nights (or days).
Experimental Series #3 is sold out.
Experimental Series #4
Nose: Juniper led nose with fruit, rosehips, pink pepper, spice and hints of the forest floor.
Palate: An assertive palate of juniper, spice and earthy notes. Mixes well with tonic and the fruit notes came through, spice balances the tonic with the earthy and forest floor flavours coming through on the finish.
To bring out its full flavour we recommend skipping the tonic and using it in a Vesper Martini cocktail.
Experimental Series #5
Nose: A lightweight delicate nose with coriander leaf to the fore and hints of citrus in the background.
Palate: A rich, almost sweet palate with a suggestion of juniper and spice with coriander leaf still prominent throughout.
Finish: Makes a nice, easy going Gin & Tonic with notes of coriander and an attractive and fresh citrus lift on palate.
Isle Martin Gin 2021
During the 1980’s regeneration of the native woodland of Isle Martin began, including the planting of juniper. In 1999 the island was gifted by the RSPB to the surrounding communities.
The launch of the 2021 bottling, our third edition, has been delayed due to Covid. Isle Martin Gin is made in conjunction with Isle Martin Trust which sees Ben Thompson, our head distiller, and a group of trust volunteers forage all the botanicals from the beautiful community owned island.
The botanicals used in the 2021 bottling are Juniper, Hawthorn Berry, Hogweed Seed, Angelica Root, Burdock Root, Bog Myrtle and Pine.
£10 from the sale of each bottle will be donated to Isle Martin Trust.
Isle Martin Gin is available to buy online from our website and from our Bottle Shop in Ullapool.
Loopallu Gin
Friday 28th September 2018 was a very special day.
Not only did it mark the start of the 14th Loopallu Festival, it also marked the availability of the first spirits to be distilled in Ullapool by the Highland Liquor Company currently the UK’s most north westerly distillery. We produced a limited run of 357 bottles, for which we were very humbled when these sold out in little over 24 hours.
We hope the rest is history in the making…
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