Arch 4 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, Verenigd Koninkrijk
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
WELCOME TO
THE HOUSE OF BOTANICALS
Aberdeen City’s oldest spirit business; home of the famous Boker’s Bitters and the world’s highest rated Old Tom Gin, our Classic Old Tom Gin.
Established in 2009 and situated in the heart of Aberdeen in North East Scotland, The House of Botanicals is a certified B Corp™ owned and operated by husband and wife team Adam & Steffie Elan-Elmegirab.
An alternative to a traditional distillery and with a primary focus on cocktails and mixed drinks, we produce a world-class range of Gins, Cocktail Bitters and Aperitivi & Digestivo with a planet positive outlook.
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
Our flagship Classic Old Tom Gin is a modern take on the historic British juniper spirit featuring Italian juniper berries, Egyptian chamomile flowers, our signature Moroccan saffron threads and a hint of Belizean muscovado sugar.
In 2022 the world’s largest spirit competition, the IWSC, awarded our Classic Old Tom a Gold Outstanding Medal and 98 points, the highest score in history for an Old Tom Gin.
Combining traditional and modern production techniques, all our bottlings utilise high quality British grain spirit and the finest botanicals sourced from across the globe. All our spirits are produced exclusively with natural ingredients and never use preservatives or synthetic flavourings and colourings.
VISIT OUR ON-SITE SHOP & TASTING ROOM
…to immerse yourself in the world of The House of Botanicals Gins, Dr. Adam’s Cocktail Bitters, and Pietro Nicola Aperitivi & Digestivo
THE HOUSE OF BOTANICALS
Situated underneath Aberdeen’s railway line and next door to its largest shopping centre, Union Square, The House of Botanicals is a 2500 square foot unit which is a combination of gin distillery, liqueurist, bitters manufactory, tasting room and shop.
Housed in the historic railway arches on Palmerston Road and originally opened in October 2016 solely as our production premises and bonded warehouse, the site is now open for distillery tours & tastings.
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen / Tasting
THE LIBRARY
A boardroom, presentation room and tasting room, The Library at the House of Botanicals is home to our founder’s private collection of drinks literature and botanical based beverages; with hundred of books and an enviable collection of gins, bitters, fortified wines, amari, liqueurs, beers, and everything else in between, in residence.
The Library is an open space for bartenders to immerse themselves in all things botanical, to read, drink and learn in comfortable surroundings, while consumers are welcomed to join Adam Elan-Elmegirab and friends from the drinks industry in a variety of tutored tasting sessions coupled with a tour of our production floor.
TOURS & TASTINGS
Opened to the public in the January of 2020, The Library at The House of Botanicals is the central hub for our exclusive Tour & Tasting experiences.
Our sessions provide you with a unique opportunity to visit the home of one of the world’s most diverse craft spirit businesses, to learn more about our three brands, and to sample our incredible range of Gins, Cocktail Bitters, Aperitivi & Digestivo.
Advance bookings can be made via our Tour & Tasting Calendar, whilst vouchers can be purchased at our online webshop.
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen / Tour & Tasting
OUR SHOP
The Library also doubles up as our on-site shop. With delivery and Click & Collect services available via our online webshop, our tasting room also allows you to try before you buy. Please note we are a working manufactory so would recommend dropping us a message or giving us a call should you wish to sample on-site with the team.
Our range includes;
– The House of Botanicals Classic, Maple or Raspberry Old Tom Gins and the ABZ Dry Gin (5cl, 70cl or tasting sets)
– Dr. Adam’s Aphrodite, Boker’s, Brazilian, Dandelion & Burdock, Orinoco Aromatic, Spanish, Teapot or Winter Spiced Bitters (all 10cl)
– Pietro Nicola Nocino, Pescaro, Caffè Margaux and Limoncello (50cl)
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
ABZ Gin The House of Botanicals
AWARDS
THE STORY
The House of Botanicals ABZ Dry Gin is our first exploration into the lighter, drier gin style that evolved from its predecessor, the botanical rich and lightly sweetened Old Tom Gin.
In our ongoing quest to be the world’s finest botanical spirit producer, and to extract optimum flavour from the botanicals we use, The House of Botanicals utilise an array of production techniques including traditional distillation, vacuum distillation, and compounding.
With this in mind our first dry gin is both distilled and compounded, starting with a traditional copper pot distillation of juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel before a maceration of saffron threads, fennel seeds and a hint of strawberry.
This secondary production stage preserves the delicate flavours the three botanicals contain whilst also adding a mouthfeel that would typically be lost with a distilled beverage. To finish, the gin is unsweetened and diluted to a bottling strength of 45% abv.
The colour scheme used across the label is intended to contrast the light colour the gin possesses, whilst the Coat of Arms branding is in homage to the Aberdeen and London City Coats of Arms; with the Black Panther additionally a reference to hip-hop which we listen to most days at The House of Botanicals.
KEY BOTANICALS
- Juniper Berries (Italy)
- Angelica Root (China)
- Orris Root (Hungary)
- Coriander Seed (Spain)
- Orange Peel (Spain)
- Lemon Peel (Spain)
- Cassia Bark (Indonesia)
- Almond (USA)
- Saffron (Morocco)
- Fennel Seed (Italy)
- Strawberries (Scotland)
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Perfectly clear. Light peach.
Nose: Piney juniper dominates with butterscotch, lemon and an underlying note of cracked black pepper.
Taste: A rich, textured mouthfeel with juniper and pine continuing to dominate alongside bright citrus, warm, sweet anise, and creamy strawberry, leading to a finish of cracked black pepper.
Finish: Long and fragrant, lightly sweet, with cracked pepper and spice.
TRY IT WITH…
Dry tonic water, Sicilian lemonade, or in cocktails such as the Dry Martini, Gimlet, Southside and Gin Fizz
RECOMMENDED SERVE
Fifty Fifty
- 45ml / 1.5oz The House of Botanicals ABZ Dry Gin
- 45ml / 1.5oz Pietro Nicola Pescaro
- 1 Dash Benedictine
- 1 Dash Dr. Adam’s Spanish Bitters
Add all ingredients to mixing glass, fill with cubed ice and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with a snap of fresh lemon zest.
CLASSIC OLD TOM GIN
Celebrating the history of beverage production in our hometown of Aberdeen
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen / Old Tom Gin
THE STORY
Inspired by the botanical rich and lightly sweetened Old Tom Gins of yesteryear, our Classic Old Tom Gin was launched globally in the April of 2018 and was the first spirit from The House of Botanicals brand.
As long-term exponents of collaboration we worked with Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, Wm Cadenhead’s, to source a gin produced in London; a subtle reference to the history of Old Tom Gin.
Production starts with a distillation of British grain spirit and juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel creating a truly outstanding dry gin in its own right; rich in piney juniper, citrus and elegant spice.
To create the Old Tom style, the gin is moved to The House of Botanicals in Aberdeen and macerated with delicate Moroccan saffron and chamomile flowers, as well as a hint of muscovado sugar, before bottling at 47% abv in respect of analysis performed on Thomas Chamberlain’s Old Tom in the 1800s.
The Coat of Arms branding is in homage to the Aberdeen and London City Coats of Arms, with the Black Panther additionally a reference to hip-hop which we listen to most days at the House of Botanicals, and a doff of the cap to early Old Tom branding which would feature a Black Cat.
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
KEY BOTANICALS
- Juniper Berries (Italy)
- Angelica Root (China)
- Orris Root (Hungary)
- Coriander Seed (Spain)
- Orange Peel (Spain)
- Lemon Peel (Spain)
- Cassia Bark (Indonesia)
- Almond (USA)
- Saffron (Morocco)
- Chamomile Flowers (Egypt)
- Muscovado Sugar (Mauritius)
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Golden yellow. Floral notes, spice and juniper dominate with earthy elements also noticeable
Taste: The spice and juniper continue to shine alongside warming pine notes and hints of coriander, before leading into sherbet-y citrus and chamomile ahead of the finish
Finish: Long and fragrant, everlasting complex sweetness and spice
TRY IT WITH…
Dry tonic water, ginger ale, and in cocktails such as the Bennett, Army & Navy, Zabriskie, Fiddy-Fiddy, Negroni, Ramos Gin Fizz, and Martinez
AWARDS
RECOMMENDED SERVE
Martinez
- 60ml / 2oz Italian Vermouth
- 30ml / 1oz The House of Botanicals Classic Old Tom Gin
- 2 Dashes Maraschino Liqueur
- 3 Dashes Dr. Adam’s Boker’s Bitters
Add all ingredients to mixing glass, fill with cubed ice and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a quadrant of fresh lemon
Origin of drink unknown
INGREDIENTS
MAPLE OLD TOM GIN
Our exploration of global flavours continues with this unique style of gin
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
THE STORY
Launched at Aberdeen Gin Fest in July 2018, The House of Botanicals Maple Old Tom Gin was originally discovered in newspaper archives whilst bartending back in 2010, with our variant created during the Research & Development stage of our Classic Old Tom Gin. Introducing a floral and spicy edge to accompany the dominant juniper flavour, it was initially launched as a limited edition batch of 1112 bottles but relaunched as a permanent addition to our portfolio in March 2019. As of 2024 the gin is now produced as a seasonal Autumn/Winter product.
Though new to the present marketplace and with our recipe adapted to suit modern tastes, the history of Maple Gin goes back over 100 years, originally being manufactured by the Buffalo Distilling Company of New York between 1893 and 1918, before the distillery succumbed to the influence of the Temperance Movement and the devastation of Prohibition, taking with it this unique style of gin. The Buffalo Distillery recently reopened in March of 2017, now producing bourbon, apple brandy and vodka.
For The House of Botanicals Maple Old Tom Gin we use the same base gin as with our Classic Old Tom. This is distilled in London with juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel, before being shipped to the House of Botanicals where we add saffron, chamomile flowers and spicy ginger root post distillation. The gin is lightly sweetened with maple syrup, at less than 25g per litre and bottled at 47% abv.
The Coat of Arms branding found on our Classic Old Tom Gin is still present, with the Panther and Dragon in place to symbolise the Aberdeen and London Coat of Arms, though further incorporating the colour red which is synonymous with our hometown and Canada.
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
KEY BOTANICALS
- Juniper Berries (Italy)
- Angelica Root (China)
- Orris Root (Hungary)
- Coriander Seed (Spain)
- Orange Peel (Spain)
- Lemon Peel (Spain)
- Cassia Bark (Indonesia)
- Almond (USA)
- Saffron (Morocco)
- Chamomile Flowers (Egypt)
- Ginger Root (China)
- Maple Syrup (Canada)
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Straw yellow. Juniper and bright citrus flavours dominate with an underlying note of warm spice
Taste: Buttery mouthfeel, with bright fresh notes of juniper and pine predominant. This is balanced with warm orange citrus, vanilla, chamomile and subtle hints of maple and fudge throughout
Finish: Long, clean and invigorating with a hint of butterscotch
TRY IT WITH…
Dry tonic water, ginger ale, grapefruit soda, and in cocktails such as the Perfect Lady, Gin Basil Smash, Jasmine, Gibson, Fiddy-Fiddy and Maple Buck
AWARDS
RECOMMENDED SERVE
Maple Buck
- 45ml / 1.5oz The House of Botanicals Maple Old Tom Gin
- 15ml / 0.5oz Pietro Nicola Pescaro
- 7.5ml / 0.25oz Lemon Sherbet
- 120ml / 4oz Ginger Ale
- 3 Dashes Dr. Adam’s Orinoco Aromatic Bitters
Build all ingredients over cubed ice and lightly stir, garnish with a slice of fresh peach and fresh lemon zest
Created by Adam Elan-Elmegirab in 2018
INGREDIENTS
APHRODITE BITTERS
Our cacao and coffee bitters, named in homage to their historical medicinal usage
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen / Aphrodite Bitters
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
THE STORY
Released in the summer of 2011, Aphrodite Bitters epitomise everything about The House of Botanicals range of cocktail bitters, where we focus on combining a modern understanding of flavour with the historical significance of bitters as the defining ingredient in the style of mixed drinks known as cocktails.
Aphrodite Bitters are a tongue-in-cheek nod to the original medicinal usage of bitters, with the botanicals selected chosen for both their alleged aphrodisiac qualities and complimentary flavour profiles.
Built on a base of ground coffee beans and cacao nibs, these are supported by an array of botanicals which play off and enhance one another including dried ginger root, red chillies, allspice (pimento) berries, black peppercorns and bitter gentian root; with each of these recognised as common flavour notes in aged spirits such as rum, brandy, tequila or whisk(e)y.
KEY BOTANICALS
- Cacoa nibs (Brazil)
- Fazendo Pantano coffee (Brazil)
- Red chillies (Various)
- Dried ginger root (China)
- Allspice berries (Jamaica)
- Black peppercorns (Brazil)
- Gentian root (France)
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Burnt cacao, anise, vanilla and cinnamon on the nose.
Taste: Slightly sweet, bitter, with rich nutty chocolate, sweet vanilla, espresso and fruit cake.
Finish: Long wood-spiced bitter finish with a soft kick of chilli.
TRY THEM IN A…
Dark & Stormy, Rum & Ginger Ale, Oaxaca Old Fashioned, Palmetto, Espresso Martini, Hot Buttered Rum, Dizzy Sour or Baguio Skin
RECOMMENDED SERVE
Rye’n Gosling
- 22.5ml / 0.75oz Rye whiskey
- 22.5ml / 0.75oz Black Seal rum
- 2 Dashes Dr. Adam’s Aphrodite Bitters
- 22.5ml / 0.75oz Fresh lime juice
- 22.5ml / 0.75oz Orgeat
Shake all ingredients with cubed ice for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupette glass and garnish with a wheel of fresh lime dropped into the drink.
Created at The Pinewood in Atlanta (GA)
GETTING HERE BY…
BUS & TRAIN
With Aberdeen Bus & Train Stations a five minute walk away on Guild Street, a number of services can drop you off within walking distance. The quickest route from Guild Street to ourselves is taking a shortcut through Union Square Shopping Centre.
– First Bus Aberdeen
– Stagecoach
– The Trainline
– Scotrail
TAXI
Your drop off location is The House of Botanicals, Arch 4, Palmerston Road, AB11 5RE. You can locate us on taxi apps by searching for The House of Botanicals.
– Rainbow City Taxis: 01224 878787
– Aberdeen Taxis: 01224 200200
– Aberdeen Airport Taxis: 01224 725725
House of Botanicals Sensational Gin Aberdeen
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