Pink gin flies off shelves and into award shortlists

The pink gin, created by the Trust and distilled by Lost Loch Distillery, has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Scottish Gin Awards, for ‘Pink Gin of the Year’ and ‘Best New Product of the Year.’

Pink Castle Gin is part of our Pink Castle Collection, which was developed in celebration of the reopening of Craigievar Castle as ‘pink again’ this past spring. Since launching just over three months ago, it has been the Trust’s best-selling gin this year, and an additional batch has been ordered.

With a focus on local ingredients, the honey in the gin comes from hives on Royal Deeside, and the raspberries and strawberries are from Aberdeenshire farms. Lost Loch Distillery is just 7 miles from the castle, and even the water it uses is from an ancient spring in the Cairngorms. Local artist Helen Ruth, who attended Craigievar School, designed the bottle’s label, which features the castle surrounded by the gin’s botanicals.

Andrew Roberts, Head of Retail at the Trust, said: ’We are incredibly proud to have been recognised by a prestigious award within the gin sector. Pink Castle Gin was a fantastic collaboration between the National Trust for Scotland, Lost Loch Distillery and artist Helen Ruth, two makers close to Craigievar Castle, which was the inspiration for the product.

’The gin launched in some of our gift shops and online at the end of May to tie in with the reopening of Craigievar Castle and within a few weeks, it was selling so well we had to order another batch. We are so happy people have been enjoying this gin, which is a wonderful celebration of the local area, and we hope these awards open it up to an even wider audience.’

The winners of the 8th Annual Scottish Gin Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on 30 October.

Pink Castle Gin is available to buy in many National Trust for Scotland gift shops and online.