The Whisky Bond, 2 Dawson Rd, Glasgow, G4 9SS, UK
Purist Gin Approving world of Art
So you want to know how I founded an award-winning London Dry Gin brand at the age of 21 during a national lockdown?
When the world came to a standstill in Spring 2020, with an eight-week-old alcohol supply licence, and a business plan based entirely around a thriving retail and hospitality industry, I knew it was time to take the plunge and launch the business I’d always dreamt of. Something totally different.
Meet Bruce, founder of Purist Gin
Purist Gin Approving world of Art
“It’s so smooth”- Tom Rhodes, MasterChef Winner 2021
From the ground up…
Purist Gin is a far cry from the bathtub gins I would sell to my mates at school, but that’s where it began for me.
From travelling in Asia discovering botanicals like Yuzu, to completing a Scottish distilling apprenticeship, my journey into the world of gin began long before the founding of Purist Gin.
The Spark
When I found myself with my back against the wall during the pandemic, unsure where to turn next, I knew it was time to launch the business I’d always dreamt of.
Something totally different, a classic gin to smash through the masses of diluted, highly flavoured gins and gin-based liqueurs. A clean, ultra-smooth, punchy London-dry gin.
I knew one thing for certain, all the gin I would make was going to be single-shot gin.
What on earth does that mean I hear you ask?
Well, I wanted to adhere to the process, which means adding nothing but water after distillation, leading to the cleanest, smoothest experience possible.
Other brands bulk their product with more ethanol but that’s not for me, I’m all about the purity.
Lift-off
In the following weeks and months, Purist Gin was born. Our first ever distillation, batch #0 was 550 bottles. It was a big commitment, we had to make this work.
Through our new e-commerce site and with the help of our first major stockist, Craft56, sales went through the roof! For a business that was entirely bootstrapped by me and my parents, to sell so many units so quickly, meant the absolute world to us. We’ll always be grateful to our early supporters.
This early success allowed us a larger marketing budget and we set our eyes on the 2020 Scottish Gin Awards…
New Heights
What started out as a passion project in the West End of Glasgow would, after just six months, take Bronze at the prestigious Scottish Gin Awards for Best London Dry Gin.
We were off and running.
After an unprecedented year of lockdowns, desperation and panic, the world was starting to transition back to normal – it was time to change the game plan.
Off the back of our reaffirming performance at the gin awards and successfully attracting our first physical stockists, I set to work growing the business.
We launched our second gin, Purist Black 57, along with a personal idea of mine, Purist Art Initiative.
Purist Black 57 is our all black, no-nonsense, navy-strength gin.
We distilled 72 bottles and launched it on our website with trepidation.
It sold out in under a week.
The Art of Gin
I wanted Purist Gin to always be fresh and ever-changing, which is why in November 2020, it became Purist Art Gin.
For over a year now, independent Scottish artists have been invited to design a one-off, unique label for our bottle.
Not only do we get a fantastic face for our gin, but it allows us to support some terrific artists financially as well.
Same award-winning gin, all new aesthetic.
Onwards & Upwards
2021 saw us expand our range once again with the arrival of Purist Marble. We launched this fruiter, lower ABV gin just in time for summer.
My mum Colette joined the business full time to lend her accounting experience, managerial prowess, and generally ensure that people toe the line.
Not long after, our team then doubled to four as we took on two new kickstart interns, whose job would be to elevate the marketing and social media of the brand.
In the darkness of a global lockdown, Purist found its fire, and it’s been burning ever since.
PURIST ART GIN BATCH #7 – KYK
£38.95 GBP
Purist Gin teases with a delicate orange and cassia spice on the nose, evolving in the mouth into a harmonious blend of classic juniper and coriander. Yuzu peel flavours punctuate the experience and then taper into a sweet orange aftertaste. This fleeting orange note leaves the palate rejuvenated. The distillery employs a single-shot process, utilizing almond powder to gracefully temper the ethanol, seamlessly blending it with opulent botanicals. This culminates in an ultra-smooth gin characterized by a refreshingly light mouthfeel.
GIN DETAILS
Key Botanical(s): Yuzu, Juniper, Almond, Cassia
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed with a slice of grapefruit, tonic, and ice.
GIN PRODUCTION
Method: Rectified – Grain Neutral Spirit
Released: September 2023
While the artwork gracing our bottles varies from batch to batch, our award-winning, single-shot London dry gin recipe remains unwavering.
ART DETAILS
Purist Gin Batch #7 showcases the vibrant and emotive artwork of KYK, also known as Karis. Hailing from a rich background in Occupational Therapy, Karis brings forth her deep understanding of the human psyche into her art.
We’re honored to feature one of her mesmerizing pieces, reflecting the essence of her ‘VOW’ collection, on our fourth batch of Purist Gin.
PURIST ART GIN BATCH #6 – RORY KENNEDY
£38.95 GBP
🏆 Country Winner for Scotland – London Dry Gin – World Gin Awards 2022🏆
🏆 Medal Winner – ‘London Dry Gin of the Year’ – Scottish Gin Awards 2020🏆
Art Details:
With his use of low light, dark sweeping shadows and high contrast, we thought Rory’s artwork was perfectly striking for a bottle of gin!
“Time flies” is the name of this piece by Rory Kennedy, a minimalist take on some Glaswegian architecture!
Instagram – @rorykennedy
Website – www.rorykennedy.com
A Classic London Dry
Purist Art Gin is our quintessential London Dry expression.
Rounded, smooth, punchy.
Distiller’s Notes
“There’s aromas of Orange and Cassia on the nose, then it (Purist Art) develops further in the mouth to a more classic juniper and coriander flavour. Afterwards the Yuzu bursts through, enveloping the palate. The whole experience is completely refreshing, our process achieves a lighter-than-air mouthfeel.”Bruce Walker, Distiller and Founder.
Our Process
Whilst our bottle art changes from batch to batch, our award-winning, single-shot London Dry Gin recipe never changes. We use a single-shot process, meaning we add only water after we distill, which is what makes our gin ultra-smooth and extra-drinkable.
Gin Details:
Key botanicals: Yuzu, Juniper, Coriander, Almond powder, Cassia and citrus peel.
ABV: 42%
Method: Rectified – Grain Neutral Spirit
Serving suggestion(s):
Serve with tonic and plenty of ice, we recommend garnishing with a slice of Pink Grapefruit.
PURIST ART GIN BATCH #7 – EDINBURGH SPECIAL EDITION – MOLLY SELLERS
£38.95 GBP
More payment options
🏆 93/100 – Silver Medal at the IWSC Awards 2020 🏆
🏆 Country Winner for Scotland – London Dry Gin – World Gin Awards 2022🏆
A Classic London Dry
Purist Art Gin is our quintessential London Dry expression.
Rounded, smooth, punchy.
Distiller’s Notes
“There’s aromas of Orange and Cassia on the nose, then it (Purist Art) develops further in the mouth to a more classic juniper and coriander flavour. Afterwards the Yuzu bursts through, enveloping the palate. The whole experience is completely refreshing, our process achieves a lighter-than-air mouthfeel.”
Bruce Walker, Distiller and Founder.
Our Process
Whilst our bottle art changes from batch to batch, our award-winning, single-shot London Dry Gin recipe never changes. We use a single-shot process, meaning we add only water after we distill, which is what makes our gin ultra-smooth and extra-drinkable.
Gin Details:
Key botanicals: Yuzu, Juniper, Coriander, Almond powder, Cassia and citrus peel.
ABV: 42%
Method: Rectified – Grain Neutral Spirit
Serving suggestion(s):
Serve with tonic and plenty of ice, we recommend garnishing with a slice of Pink Grapefruit.
Art Details:
Our current Artist is Molly Sellers, life-long artist and excellent technical drawer. She’s responsible for Batch #4 and Batch #7 of our Purist Art Gin, coincidentally also our first special City editions!
After her first design (the Glasgow Special Edition) was such a success, we knew we had to have Molly back to design us a full city series. What better place to start after Glasgow than the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh!
Having attended Uni in Edinburgh, we gave her free reign to select some of the most iconic architecture in Edinburgh! Obviously the historic Edinburgh castle had to feature, but the label design also incorporates Edinburgh University, the Scott Monument on the Royal mile, St Giles’ Cathedral and of course, Grey-friars Bobby!
PURIST ART GIN BATCH #5 – EVIE GRACE ILLUSTRATION
£38.95 GBP
🏆 Country Winner for Scotland – London Dry Gin – World Gin Awards 2022🏆
🏆 Medal Winner – ‘London Dry Gin of the Year’ – Scottish Gin Awards 2020🏆
Art Details:
This batch of Purist Art Gin’s label was designed by the unbelievably talented Evie Grace Illustration!
3 million masks.
That’s how many disposable masks are used and disposed of every MINUTE.
You can’t go five metres down the street without seeing a blue and white mask blowing down the pavement, littering our green spaces, and ultimately polluting our oceans.
It’s irresponsible and unnecessary.
We’re at a point with the COVID-19 pandemic where we should no longer be facilitating the wastefulness of disposable masks.
Always use re-usable.
We absolutely adored Evie’s design as well as the message behind it!
A Classic London Dry
Purist Art Gin is our quintessential London Dry expression.
Rounded, smooth, punchy.
Distiller’s Notes
“There’s aromas of Orange and Cassia on the nose, then it (Purist Art) develops further in the mouth to a more classic juniper and coriander flavour. Afterwards the Yuzu bursts through, enveloping the palate. The whole experience is completely refreshing, our process achieves a lighter-than-air mouthfeel.”
Bruce Walker, Distiller and Founder.
Our Process
Whilst our bottle art changes from batch to batch, our award-winning, single-shot London Dry Gin recipe never changes. We use a single-shot process, meaning we add only water after we distill, which is what makes our gin ultra-smooth and extra-drinkable.
Gin Details:
Key botanicals: Yuzu, Juniper, Coriander, Almond powder, Cassia and citrus peel.
ABV: 42%
Method: Rectified – Grain Neutral Spirit
Serving suggestion(s):
Serve with tonic and plenty of ice, we recommend garnishing with a slice of Pink Grapefruit.
PURIST ART GIN – SOLIDARY
£39.95 GBP
#STANDWITHUKRAINE
24 February 2023 – one year on from the devastating attack on Kyiv and Mauripol.
Many Ukrainian families are displaced and countless separated.
We still need to help.
Art Details:
This piece is an illustration created by the fantastic Evie Grace Illustration in solidarity with Ukraine. She kindly allowed us to use her art for this limited-edition charity bottle for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian appeal.
A Classic London Dry
Purist Art Gin is our quintessential London Dry expression.
Rounded, smooth, punchy.
Distiller’s Notes
“There’s aromas of Orange and Cassia on the nose, then it (Purist Art) develops further in the mouth to a more classic juniper and coriander flavour. Afterwards the Yuzu bursts through, enveloping the palate. The whole experience is completely refreshing, our process achieves a lighter-than-air mouthfeel.”
Bruce Walker, Distiller and Founder.
Our Process
Whilst our bottle art changes from batch to batch, our award-winning, single-shot London Dry Gin recipe never changes. We use a single-shot process, meaning we add only water after we distill, which is what makes our gin ultra-smooth and extra-drinkable.
Gin Details:
Key botanicals: Yuzu, Juniper, Coriander, Almond powder, Cassia and citrus peel.
ABV: 42%
Method: Rectified – Grain Neutral Spirit
Serving suggestion(s):
Serve with tonic and plenty of ice, we recommend garnishing with a slice of Pink Grapefruit.
Artist Profiles
We think great gin deserves a great bottle. That’s why we created Purist Art. Every batch of Purist Art Gin showcases a unique piece of work on the label, hand-picked by us, from independent artists. We get a fantastic, fresh face for our gin as well as the opportunity to support some terrific artists. Same award-winning gin, all new aesthetic. We’re always on the lookout for fresh designs, feel free to drop us an email and show us your portfolio! – bruce@puristgin.co.uk
By Kaitlyn Agnew
October 19, 2023
A deep dive with Evie Grace Illustration.
By Stuart McLellan
March 30, 2022
Molly Sellers – Artist Profile
By Stuart McLellan
November 18, 2021
Franny Moseley – Artist Profile
By Bruce Walker
May 21, 2021
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