Halflandbarns, North Berwick, EH39 5PW, UK
NB Gin a Lifetime Obsession for Us
Our Story
“We believe in creating perfection. We are committed to quality no matter whether it is the product or the quality of the team that we engage.
When we put our NB name on a bottle, we promise that inside will be every bit as ‘perfect’ as our original. Whatever the product.”
Jamie MacDonald and Iain Bell, Owners and Directors
We must admit gin has always been something of an obsession for us. When we started, our ambition was to create the ‘perfect’ gin. The London Dry process is recognised as being the most exacting and meticulous way to create high quality gin in small batches. So naturally, we followed this process. We started off experimenting in our home kitchen ‘ginnery’ with a pressure cooker and some old central heating pipes – hardly glamorous, but our makeshift ‘still’ was a great way to test hundreds of different botanicals with water to see which worked together the best.
We distilled, refined and distilled again over hundreds of batches and thousands of hours – before finally we created the gin we believed was ‘perfect’.
A gin worthy of putting our name to – NB, our home town of North Berwick. Having perfected our recipe, we invested in a custom-built still called ‘Gloria’, made to our exact specifications by the world’s oldest and most revered still-makers.
A still that would be able to precisely replicate our tried and tested recipe. We then moved out of our kitchen and into a small unit in North Berwick to continue distilling our products.
Within just two years, our gin had won many admirers from near and far and in 2015 it was voted the Best London Dry Gin in the world. We achieved what we originally set out to do: to create ‘perfection’ that’s recognised globally.
As business has expanded, we now operate production and luxury experience tours from our purpose built, eco-friendly and sustainable distillery which is based on the outskirts of our town (near Tantallon Castle).
Awarded 5 stars by Visit Scotland, we are a tourist attraction also and visitors are welcome to pop by to view our working distillery, have a chat (and a wee sample!) and browse our Cellar Door Shop.
Our visitors are welcomed from all over the world to “Learn, Sample & Relax” on our Ginspiration Tour. You will hear more about the NB ‘story’, our amazing journey and successes.
Then onto a behind-the-scenes tour of production to learn how we make our world class spirits. Time to relax and sample all our lovely NB Gins and NB Rum in our beautiful tasting lounge.
We’ll always remain a small company, only ever using the London Dry process, believing in our people and their skills and working as hard as ever. And when we put our NB name on a bottle, we promise that inside will be every bit as ‘perfect’ as our Original. Whatever the product.
We hope to see you soon!
NB London Dry Gin (70CL)
THE ORIGINAL, CLASSIC GIN
Our original NB Gin is a pure, clear, uncompromised grain spirit, the result of an exacting process that has been perfected and bottled to become recognised as the Best London Dry Gin in the world, at the world drinks awards in 2015. And now that it is the best, it will stay this way. We continue to use only the finest of 8 botanicals and remain true to our perfected London Dry process. That way, NB Gin will always be ‘perfect’.
NB Gin was selected by the Royal Family on two monumental occasions. It has been recognised by Rolls Royce as one of their “Top 100 Luxury Brands”, selected for The Open Afterparty in 2018 and served at the Sony Afterparty at the Brit Awards for three consecutive years. These are just some of our amazing success stories!
70CL. Proven at 42% ABV.
TASTING NOTES
The Botanicals: Juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, grains of paradise, lemon peel, cassia bark, cardamom and orris root.
The Nose: An exquisite nose revealing an initial hit of Juniper with a touch of earthiness. Subtle citrus notes follow with a fabulous freshness.
The Palate: Clean, fresh and with a wonderfully smooth texture. This expertly balanced gin tastes very much like it noses: juniper-led, dry and with citrus hints. The botanicals are revealed with remarkable clarity. Juniper invites you in, followed by a burst of clean citrus, then warm earthy notes and a dash of white pepper, before the final flourish of juniper.
The Finish: A long finish with all of the botanicals present for one final encore.
Try It: As you would enjoy the perfect G&T. We like ours with tonic, a slice of pink grapefruit, a basil leaf and ice, and of course, lots of friends! Great for sipping, try it neat or over ice or use as the ‘perfect’ partner in any cocktail.
NB Navy Strength Gin (70CL)
EXPLOSIVE AT 57%
Our NB Navy Strength Gin is a pure, clear, uncompromised grain spirit. It is exactly the same as our original NB Gin, only Navy Strength. Handle with care please, it is explosive at 57% proof! A gin with a strength of character and intensity of flavour.
It is the result of the same exacting process that’s been perfected and bottled to create our original NB Gin, proven to be the best London Dry Gin in the world.
Our NB Navy Strength Gin is also a multi-award winner. It was awarded “GOLD” in the Global Gin Masters, “GOLD” at The Scottish Gin Awards and selected by the Craft Gin Club as their “Gin of the Month”.
70CL. Proven at 57% ABV.
TASTING NOTES
The Botanicals: Juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, grains of paradise, lemon peel, cassia bark, cardamom and orris root.
The Nose: the additional strength of this gin is instantly apparent, but is well-tempered with a big burst of Juniper. The strength is balanced perfectly by the concentration of botanicals. The first hit of Juniper quickly gives way to citrus, which is well supported by the earthier notes of cardamom and coriander. All these wonderful notes are easily accessible.
The Palate: Mouth-filling, clean and fresh with a wonderful texture. Juniper provides the first punch of flavour but remarkably quickly there follows a burst of fresh citrus followed soon after by the warmer, earthier notes of coriander and cardamom. A quick sprinkling of white pepper before the Juniper returns. A remarkable explosion of tastes that mirrors its superb nose.
The Finish: A long and flavoursome finish with the botanicals in harmony for a final encore, and a dash of white pepper, before the final flourish of Juniper.
Try It: many admirers enjoy sipping this gin, neat or over ice. For most, it makes the ultimate G&T or Gin Martini.
NB Samphire Gin (70CL)
STUNNING, LIGHT & CONTEMPORARY
NB Distillery is proud to present our NB Samphire Gin – a must-try Gin! This is a truly elegant and complex London Dry gin, which has been distilled using hand-picked marsh samphire from the coastal areas of East Lothian. The subtle tones of green tea are complimented with the warmth of ginger and vibrant citrus flavours.
If you would like to try this uniquely blended spirit, please order now to avoid disappointment! This product is available in limited numbers, delivered directly from our distillery.
70CL. Proven at 42% ABV
TASTING NOTES
The Nose: A subtle green tea note gently gives way to Juniper followed by vibrant citrus.
The Palate: On tasting, the subtle tones of green tea are confirmed.. This gently gives way to Juniper followed by a burst of fresh citrus. The ginger contained leaves a comforting warmth of the throat.
The Finish: Smooth and dry with a good length of finish.
Try It: As a classic, refreshing G&T. We recommend with a light tonic (not flavoured) and a lemon peel curl to garnish.
Visit NB Distillery
The Ginspiration Tour
We welcome our guests from all over the world to “Learn, Sample & Relax” on our Ginspiration Tours, awarded 5 stars by Visit Scotland. Experience the best of Scottish Gin and Rum and unwind in our beautiful surroundings.
£25.00 per person
BOOK YOUR TOUR
“Learn, Sample & Relax”
You will be warmly welcomed with a drink of the Worlds Best London Dry Gin & tonic, whilst our friendly team share our amazing journey and success stories.
Then onto a behind-the-scenes tour of our Distillery where you will learn all about our gin and rum making process and meet our majestic copper stills.
Time to relax upstairs in our beautiful tasting lounge for a ‘flight’ of a further 4 drinks and the opportunity to buy at discounted prices from our Cellar Door Shop.
Tour time 5pm – approx. 6.30pm, Tuesday – Saturday.
Tickets cost £25 per person.
Online Booking – we request all tours are pre-booked and paid for in advance through our online booking system. Please check the online calendar for availability. Once you have selected your tour date, please also advise if anyone in your group is driving or not wishing to taste our lovely spirits so we are aware of this in advance. We have premium soft drinks available and non-drinkers will be offered a sample bottle of NB Gin to take away and enjoy at home.
If we are running a discount on our tours, please add the discount code at checkout prior to making payment.
Ginspiration Tour Gift Vouchers – if you have been gifted a tour gift voucher, please email us visit@nbdistillery.com to arrange your booking, quoting your invitation number. Tour gift vouchers are not able to be redeemed online.
If you are unable to make a booking online, wish to reschedule or have any questions, it is best to email us at visit@nbdistillery.com and we will happily manage your booking. You can also call us on 07511 103637.
No one under the age of 18 is permitted on our tours. The distillery uses the challenge 25 policy, so if you are lucky enough to look under 25 please be prepared to show photo ID (passport, driving licence, Young Scot card, other national identity card). As you will be drinking our lovely spirits, it is obviously not suitable to drive home after the tour. Local taxi numbers are detailed below.
We will provide our NBM hand sanitiser that is also produced on site – please sanitise regularly throughout the tour. Regular and thorough cleaning is carried out between our tours.
BOOK YOUR TOUR
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL VOUCHER
You will receive an email confirmation of your booking at time of purchase and a further email invitation a few days before your tour date.
For more information or to enquire about a group booking for over 12 people or private hire for any special occasion, please email visit@nbdistillery.com
ACCESSIBILITY
Our Distillery is fully accessible for wheelchair users. There is free and disabled parking, a ramp to our main entrance and a lift to the upstairs lounge. A disabled toilet is located downstairs. You can read our full Accessibility Guide here.
CORPORATE EVENTS & PRIVATE PARTIES
Our upstairs lounge and dining room is the perfect space to hire exclusively for any special occasion, retirement party, elegant hen or stag ‘dos’ or to hold a strategy meeting, team building or ‘away’ day with your staff, followed by a tour and gin tasting experience. We can comfortably seat 20 people and up to 40 seated / standing. To enquire about an exclusive corporate or private event, please contact visit@nbdistillery.com
HOW TO FIND US
Coming from North Berwick on A198 : After Tantallon Castle take next right turn signposted Halflandbarns. After 200 metres take a left turn into the industrial estate. Pass North Berwick Garage and Jerba Campervans and we are at the end of the road.
Coming from Dunbar on the A198 : After the entrance to Seacliff Beach, pass Auldhame Cottages on the right and after 100 metres carry straight on at the next sharp right hand bend, signposted Halflandbarns. After 200 metres take a left turn into the industrial estate. Pass North Berwick Garage and Jerba Campervans and we are at the end of the road.
TAXIS
We would recommend the following local taxi companies:
A2B Taxis – 01620 895000
Jim’s Taxis – 01620 894900
Bass Rock Taxi – 01620 890490
For more information on getting to the distillery, parking and public transport please read our full accessibility guide.
COVID-19 SAFETY
- Our normal tour capacity is for 12 people.
- Masks are no longer required to be worn at our venue.
- Guests are encouraged to sanitise their hands regularly during the tour, using our NBM sanitiser provided.
- Thorough and extensive sanitisation of the Distillery is carried out between tour times.
Venue Hire
Did you know NB Distillery is available to hire exclusively for any special occasion, event or meeting?
At NB Distillery we offer a unique setting for any special occasion or event. Our beautiful and flexible space is available to hire exclusively for birthday celebrations, retirement parties, networking events, corporate meetings or ‘away’ days with your staff.
Enjoy exclusive use of our downstairs reception area, upstairs lounge and dining area. Add on a distillery tour, gin and rum tasting experience if you wish and you can bring your own food, beer, wine or fizz (corkage fee applies).
Our distillery can accommodate up to 20 people comfortably and our maximum capacity is for 40 people. For a more intimate event our elegant dining room can accommodate up to 10 guests. A cost for the basic venue hire applies, plus an agreed number of NB drinks per person.
You can arrange to bring your own food or party nibbles, beer, wine or fizz (corkage fee applies). We will provide complimentary soft drinks for those not drinking and we can recommend a range of fabulous local caterers depending on your taste buds and budget.
Corporate Events
It’s time to reunite your team! Our upstairs lounge and dining area is ideal to hold a strategy meeting, networking event or a memorable team building ‘away’ day (in a different setting to the home office!). Make it extra memorable and treat your staff to our distillery tour and fabulous gin and rum tasting experience after a day of brainstorming.
Only 30 minutes by train from Edinburgh to North Berwick and a short taxi ride to the Distillery. WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks will be supplied.
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Verified customer testimonial:
“Our office outing was made very special by the team at NB Gin. We all had a great day learning about the NB Gin story, the distillery process and of course sampling all their amazing products.
The venue is an excellent choice for a get together and we had the best hosts. Easy, relaxing atmosphere and attentive service. Would highly recommend for a special get together, birthday celebration or like us a day out of the office. We’ll see you again soon. Thank you!”
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We would be delighted to create a bespoke event for you and we promise to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience. Please contact visit@nbdistillery.com for further details and costings (minimum booking and number of NB drinks required).
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