Try some of these gin-spirational top trends in 2020
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It's time for a spot of 2020 vision!
So Gin Club Scotland has collated data from Ipsos Mori, Mintel, Global Data and Nielsen to bring you a bang up-to-date analysis of what’s hot on the gin scene.
Sustainability
If only Greta Thunberg was old enough to drink gin! But the Kintyre Gin team is on the case, sustainably producing their spirit using their very own renewable energy. And Caithness brand Rock Rose Gin’s fully recyclable refills will come in handy if you’ve run out of room for ceramic lamps.
Lo and No Alcohol
To be clear, I am not a fan of Seedlip. I’d rather burn fivers and drink my stepson’s nettle tea. My advice is to be on your guard with the booze-free category – it’s often driven by branding over flavour and if it says ‘distilled’, chances are they are charging way over the odds.
My advice? If you’re cutting down, opt for Cushiedoos mixer made with Scottish heather and silver birch, or Minus 33 gin from Rosyth with a lower ABV and only 46 calories per serve.
Pink Drinks
If you have a good relationship with your dentist, you’ll be pleased to hear that flavoured pink gins will continue to line the shelves in 2020! One in four UK consumers regularly drink pink because it’s sweet, pretty and moreish. Our favourite is Old Curiosity’s Apothecary Rose as it balances a light sweetness with naturally grown flowers and herbs from The Secret Garden outside Edinburgh.
The influence of the Far East
An increasing number of spirits are coming to the UK from Japan, with high-end cocktail bars including Far East ingredients such as yuzu, pandan and miso. A good pour is Diageo’s Jinzu, a blend of gin, sake and cherry blossom, distilled at their plant in Fife.
Chrissie Fairclough is tastings director for Gin Club Scotland, which runs touring and distillery-based tastings, and offers tasting kits for people to run their own events. www.ginclubscotland.com
