Review

Gloag's Gin

Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd., West Kinfauns, Perth (The Edrington Group Ltd., Glasgow), Scotland, UK.

The Edrington Group.

The original company was founded in 1850 in Glasgow by William Robertson. In 1860/1 the business expanded with a merger to became Robertson & Baxter. They took a shareholding in the North British Distillery Company in 1885, which today is a joint venture owned by The Edrington Group and Diageo. These two companies entered into another joint venture in 1993, Lothian Distillers, which also continues today. In 1887 Robertson formed another business, Highland Distillers Ltd. which is a joint venture with William Grant & Sons and is also part of The Edrington Group.

William Robertson passed on the business to his son, who in turn pased it onto his daughters Elspeth, Agnes and Ethel. In 1961 the sisters formed of The Robertson Trust as a way to prevent take-overs whilst providing an avenue for their philanthropic actions. This trust owns The Edrington Group (Edrington being named after a farm near the family home) and is responsible for supporting numerous charitable endeavors, providing donations of $10’s of millions each year.

Across the years the Robertson businesses have grown by building new production and warehousing facilities, acquiring existing companies (in whole and in part with shareholdings) and creating marketing and distribution companies and alliances across the globe. Their brands of particular note include: The Famous Grouse, The Macallan, Cutty Sark and Highland Park Whiskies plus Brugal Rum and Snow Leopard Vodka.

In 1970 one purchase made by Highland Distillers was that of Matthew Gloag & Son, bringing with it the Famous Grouse brand. Gloag’s Gin was launched in 1996 and named in tribute to Matthew Gloag.

Made with 100% pure grain spirit, an extended steeping period is used to extract the flavor from the botanicals.

The Gin is presented in a clear tall rectangular bottle, with arched sloping shoulders. The white colored label has green writing and matches the profile of the bottles face.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$$ - $$$. Not available in North America or Europe and has limited availability in Asian markets. It seems this is being phased out and will no doubt be discontinued in the near future.

11 botanicals are used including: grains of paradise, juniper berries, nutmeg and orange peel.

Named after Matthew Gloag, the creator of the Grouse Whisky brand.

On the nose is citrus (orange) with faint spice and earthy notes. On the palate this slightly sweet (liquorice) spirit has juniper and citrus (orange) with nutmeg and earthy (angelica) aspects. The finish is dry with pine (juniper) and citrus (orange).

This is not a sipping Gin but has all the basic requirements of a traditional London Dry Gin. We think the juniper is too light and the citrus too heavy on the palate but there are others who may disagree and prefer this as it stands. It is a relatively inexpensive Gin and is ideally suited for reduced budgets, but we can only recommend this for long mixed drinks and punches.

Unknown.