The Old Smiddy, Lower Castlehill, Stirling, FK8 1EN, UK
Stirling Honest Gin of The Old Smiddy
About Us
We are a small family-run distillery creating hand crafted gin and whisky in the historic ‘Old Smiddy’ building. Our products celebrate the rich history and folklore of Stirling.
Sample our award-winning nettle-based classic gin, try our independent whisky range, or indulge in our Bloody Scotland cocktail designed for the annual Crime Writing Festival.
You can even create your very own gin at our award-winning gin school. Voted Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Stirling Business Awards, we offer daily gin and whisky tastings, distillery tours and a small on site shop so book a visit today!
Some couples celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary with a city break, a romantic meal or a carefully-chosen gift. June and Cameron McCann decided to go for something different and on October 28th 2015 they distilled their very first bottle of Stirling Gin.
Originally distilled in a 2.4 litre copper still called Jinty, our small batch craft gin proved so popular that a bigger still was soon needed. Subsequently Flora arrived on the scene – named after June’s mother – producing 170 bottles per run. From these humble beginnings, Stirling Gin has grown into a nationally-recognised spirit.
The distillery expanded into whisky with the launch of their Sons of Scotland independent bottling range in 2020 and production of their own new-make whisky began in 2023. It is the first time whisky has been made in Stirling since 1852. The first whisky will be available in 2027.
The Old Smiddy
In 2019, Cameron and June opened the city’s First Legal Distillery on the castle rock in the historic building locally known as The Old Smiddy. Located in the shadow of Stirling Castle, the structure was first built in 1888. Legend tells us it was the site where King James VI stabled his horses in the 1500s and when it was first built it acted as a local church temperance hall. It seemed fitting that it be the location for Stirling Distillery.
A New Home
During the extensive renovation process, Cameron and June were careful to maintain the beautiful Victorian facade of the Old Smiddy. The re-birth of this beautiful building included installing a completely modern interior with state-of-the-art stills, bespoke windows and doors and beautiful wood paneling.
June and Cameron, along with their team, have built a modern distillery, steeped in history. As a family business, Stirling Distillery is a unique venture and will truly put Stirling on the drinks industry map.
Stirling Distillery Today
With a visitor’s centre, shop and soon-to-be renovated garden, Stirling Distillery has plenty to offer. Gin tours and tastings, cocktail masterclasses, drinks education and training and seasonal events run throughout the year. Stirling Distillery makes, bottles and labels all of its products on site, by hand, and has an arresting view of Stirling Castle from its front
Our Gin
Stirling Gin
£ 36.00
Our flagship spirit is waiting for you packed full of unique wild Stirlingshire nettles. Sealed with a hand-dipped wax seal, and decorated with unique illustrations of the Wallace Monument and the Old Stirling Bridge by Ritchie Collins, this is the bottle all gin-lovers should have occupying pride of place in their drinks cabinet. Stirling Gin can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Tasting Notes
Our signature gin, with six botanicals carefully chosen to reflect the unique flavour of Stirlingshire’s countryside alongside fresh herbal tones. Basil and citrus peel combine with bold juniper notes to afford a complex spirit. The smooth, lingering finish carries a peppery tang and at 43% the mouthfeel is both spicy and dry. By using local nettles we are working to provide a sustainably sourced spirit with links to our Stirling heritage.
Our recommended serves are either over ice or with a generous splash of Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic with basil leaves and orange peel to garnish.
Gin Blue Line
£ 38.00
Gin Blue Line has been created in recognition of over 200 years of British policing. 20% of profits will be donated to support officers, both past and present, who suffer with PTSD from walking the thin blue line.
Tasting Notes
Made with carefully selected botanicals including forget-me-nots, Scottish heather, sage and kaffir lime leaves, this well rounded gin should be served with a premium tonic and garnished with lemon or lime to accentuate the spicy, floral and sweet notes.
Battle Strength Gin
£ 32.00
Inspired by the famous battle of Stirling Bridge, Battle Strength Gin sits at 55% and carries a huge hit of juniper and pepper.
Sealed with a hand-dipped wax seal and carrying unique illustrations by Ritchie Collins, this bottle combines the flavour of Stirling Gin with the bloody history of the city.
Battle Strength can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. See our tasting notes and gin cocktail suggestions below.
Tasting Notes
Our Battle Strength Gin takes our flagship spirit and brings the ABV up to offer a powerful combination of juniper and fresh spicy herbs. The sharp notes of citrus add an oily backbone to the palate and our wild nettles follow through for an incredibly complex and smooth finish. You will be tasting the warm juniper notes long after the glass is empty. At 55%, Battle Strength carries a kick that’s simply out of this world.
Our recommended serves are either over ice with a generous peel of orange or in a tall glass with plenty of your favourite tonic and some freshly torn basil leaves. Battle Strength also makes an excellent base for a classic Martini.
Gin Pig
£ 29.99
Our very popular and cute gin pigs can hold 5cl of any of our gins or gin liqueurs.
In London throughout the 1700s the gin craze was in full swing and many kept their spirits in specially designed jugs. A favourite design was the pig. Our little pigs are hand-blown by the Angel’s Share Glass Studio and filled with your choice of gin or gin liqueur.
Each pig features a cork stopper for the nose, delicate pink ears and beautiful blue eyes. The pig can be held by the tail and gin poured through the snout and best of all it can be refilled and stoppered again and again.
Stirling Pink Gin
The Stirling Pink Gin is a refreshing spirit with 12 delicious botanicals including rose petals, pink peppercorn and pink grapefruit.
Sealed with a hand-dipped wax seal, and decorated with beautiful illustrations of the Pink Lady Ghost.
Stirling Pink Gin can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Our Stirling Pink Gin tells the story of the ghost, The Pink Lady.
The Pink Lady is a young, noble and beautiful woman was betrothed to a brave Scots knight who defended Stirling castle against the English siege of 1304. That very night, her true love died during the battle. She died shortly after, heartbroken at the thought of never seeing her true love again. Her lonely spirit is said to be wandering the Castle and the Kirk Tower in the dead of night in her elegant and distinct pink robes.
Tasting Notes
The Stirling Pink is a refreshing gin with 12 delicious botanicals including rose petals, pink peppercorn and pink grapefruit. It is delicately fragranced with juniper and spices as well as floral and pepper to leave your taste buds craving more.
To maximise its delight, we recommended serving over ice with a slice of pink grapefruit and Fever-tree Mediterranean tonic, or if you fancy spicing things up a little add a slice of fresh chilli to create an even more unique experience.
Stirling Winter Gin 2023
Our apple-infused Winter Gin is back for 2023 with a new stunning look. Launched just in time for you to cozy in for the long dark nights that lie ahead.
Featuring the beast of Stirling – the wolf. According to folklore, when we were under attack from the Vikings, the wolves would howl to alert the folks of Stirling in time to save the town.
Tasting Notes
Our Winter warmer gin is enriched with apples from Cameron and June’s garden. They have been steeped for a month, hence adding not only an enriched apple flavour but also a slight golden colour to this beautiful spirit.
On the nose you get a full hit of warming spices, allspice at the forefront rolling through cinnamon, ginger and orange. As you taste it you get an instant hit of apple strudel which will warm you through finishing off with a rounding creaminess enhanced by milk thistle and rhubarb root.
This Gin is one for the cold nights to keep you warm perfectly served in a gin and tonic garnished with orange peel and cinnamon stick or mixed with spicy ginger beer or in a gin hot toddy.
Distillery Experiences
Our beautiful distillery in the shadow of Stirling Castle hosts daily gin and whisky experiences.
Voted as the number one thing to do in Stirling on TripAdvisor and winner of Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Stirling Business Awards 2023, come and visit us in the historic ‘Old Smiddy’.
Stirling Distillery Gin Experience
If you love gin as much as us, you’ll love our gin experience where you get to sample seven gins! You’ll be welcomed to our distillery with a bespoke cocktail then taken through the history of our brand and how we came to own Stirling’s first legal distillery, followed by some of Stirling City’s most fascinating stories about the mythology and history behind our products.
After a tour of our distilling room you’ll sample our range of gins and gin liqueurs including our award winning Red Cap, Tropical Triumph and our flagship nettle-based Stirling classic gin.
£27.50 per person
Stirling Distillery Gin Driver’s Experience
For those not drinking, you’ll receive a welcome mocktail and leave with a single Stirling Gin to take home.
£15 per person
The Old Smiddy Gin School
Join us for our award-winning gin school where you will be welcomed to our distillery with our bespoke welcome cocktail and given your own mini still.
You’ll be given a run down of gin’s history, from its medical uses to binge drinking in the slums of London all the way through to today’s Scottish gin craze. You’ll be walked through the science of gin distilling before choosing from our selection of beautiful botanicals to make an entirely unique gin all of your own. To end the day, you’ll enjoy a Stirling Gin perfect serve as well as a G&T made from your very own creation.
£90 per person
£140 for two sharing a still
*Gin school is run on-demand and is subject to availability*
