Review

Atholl Estates Sloe Gin

Atholl Estates, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry (and made by the Scottish Liqueur Centre, Hilton, Bankfoot, Perth), Perthshire, Scotland, UK.

Blair Castle and the Scottish Liqueur Centre.

The Atholl Estates have been owned by the Earl’s of Atholl (from the 1400’s to the 1600’s); and the Duke’s of Atholl since the 1600’s to the present. Today the Stewart and Murray families are the Estates titled custodians, and have been for over 19 generations.

The 145,000 acres include the baronial style Blair Castle (the earliest section dating from 1269), and today offers a range of sporting activities (hunting, fishing, cycling, walking, pony trekking etc.), tourism (castle tours, Land Rover safari’s, wildlife watching, caravan park, camping site, a range of lodges providing accommodation etc.) and is a highly regarded venue for weddings. Their gift shop offers a range of branded products for purchase including their range of Atholl Highlander whisky and Atholl liqueurs.

This branded Sloe Gin was launched in the summer 2011, and is collaboration between the Estate and the Scottish Liqueur Centre. Interestingly, juniper the key botanical in Gin has a connection the Duke of Atholl’s private army (The Atholl Highlanders) - a sprig of juniper is used during the initiation ceremony for soldiers being accepted into the regiment.

Sloes grown on the Atholl Estates are harvested to produce this Gin. These are sent to the Scottish Liqueur Centre where using a recipe developed between the Estates and the Centre, the Gin is infused and bottled.

The ruby red colored Gin is presented in a clear bottle with some nice classic design features (more akin to a cognac bottle): with a punt in the bottom, it tapers slightly from the bottom to the larger shoulders, the shoulders have a graceful slope and the neck tapers from the root to the narrow top. The large grey brown label has white colored text clearly stating what it is.

Flavored Gin - Sloe.

26.9% (54 Proof).

$$$ - $$$$. Not available in the USA. This is sold only at the Blair Castle shop, with no posting or shipping available (not even within the UK).

Unknown but includes sloeberries.

Atholl Estates refer to the land and buildings owned by the Duke of Atholl, where the sloeberries are harvested to make this Sloe Gin.

Unfortunately due to its limited source of supply, we have yet to try this Sloe Gin from Atholl Estates, so are unable to provide any detailed tasting notes. However, we understand it is smooth, soft, warm and fruity without being overly sweet.

Unknown.