Award-winning organic white spirits released by beautiful new-build Glenrinnes Distillery in the heart of whisky country.
Set at the foot of the Ben Rinnes mountain, Glenrinnes Distillery is a new family-owned and run business producing super-premium white spirits from the finest Speyside spring water and 100% organic ingredients.
Meet Eight Lands: named after the eight different counties that are visible from the top of Ben Rinnes on a clear day.
- Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin: a juniper-forward London Dry-style gin which is complemented by locally foraged botanicals. Winner of a Master award medal and two Gold medals at the 2019 Gin Masters Awards.*
- Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka: an exceptionally smooth and characterful vodka created using an unusual two-stage fermentation process.
Developed by the father and stepson team of Alasdair Locke and Alex Christou, the purpose-built 5,400 sq/ft distillery has been borne out of a passion for the land, for nature and for family legacy. The process was started three years ago, with botanical surveys and spring flow rates as part of a feasibility study that helped the family better understand what they might be able to achieve and where on the family estate a distillery would be best sited. Alex is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, relishing bringing something new to the very land that he grew up on. The stunning building has a much more modern feel than many of the area’s distilleries, but the pursuit of quality is directly inspired by Speyside’s rich whisky heritage.
From the operating procedures that underpin the way things are done at Glenrinnes Distillery, to the bespoke nature of the distillery equipment, everything has been thought through to ensure that Eight Lands gin and vodka are delicious, sustainable and organic. And with no plans to make whisky, Alex and his team can focus on what they are passionate about: making beautiful quality white spirits, whilst paying respect to their whisky producing neighbours.
Alex commented: “I genuinely believe that we have created something special with our organic vodka and gin, and I’m really proud of the team at the distillery for the hard work and passion that they have put into this. We have ambitious plans to build the Eight Lands brand globally in the months ahead and I know that my family and our production team are incredibly excited about sharing our spirits with both the UK and other markets.”
Eight Lands spirits are made using the finest organic ingredients, including some botanicals that grow naturally on the estate. Both spirits are created using the fresh Speyside spring water that flows past the distillery, from the lower slopes of the Ben Rinnes mountain itself.
The bespoke distillery equipment – including the 1,000 litre pot still “Rebecca” (named after Alex’s wife) and the two ten-plate rectifying columns – has been built by local specialists to provide great flexibility, allowing the production team opportunity for future experimentation with other expressions and techniques.
The team is made up of Operations Manager, Meeghan Murdoch, and Distiller, Katrina Stewart. Meeghan joined the business at the beginning of 2018 and brings more than 25 years of international drinks industry experience with her on both the production and sales side, including brewing, wine making and distilling. Her commitment and passion for organic products made her a perfect fit for the new distillery. By contrast, this is Katrina’s first full-time distillery role since completing an MSc in Brewing and Distilling from Heriott Watt University. However, her background as a chemical engineer has imbued her with a deep understanding of the precision processes and health and safety principles that are central to Glenrinnes Distillery.
The estate’s farming activities have been wholly organic since 2001, driven by Alex’s mother Kathy and a simple belief that less chemicals in the food chain is better. This ethos stands behind the decision to create Eight Lands spirits from 100% organic ingredients and their accreditation ensures that there are high levels of traceability from grain to glass. In essence, this means that Eight Lands spirits are produced with ingredients that are of the highest quality, grown without pesticides, and sustainably sourced.
From the botanicals that are used to create Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin, including estate foraged cowberries and sorrel, to the purity of the spring water that is brought to life through Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka – every taste offers spirit lovers the chance to enjoy the nature and balance found in and around this extraordinary part of Scotland, rich in distilling heritage.
Glenrinnes Distillery is open for tours and tastings with the distillery team. The two core products: Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin (RRP £39.00) and Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka (RRP £37.00) are available directly from the Distillery and online at www.eight-lands.com.
Both products will be available from www.masterofmalt.com from mid July, as well various retailers, bars and restaurants.
If you want to know more about Eight Lands spirits, please read on.
Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin – 46% ABV, RRP: £39:
Made with Speyside spring water and purely organic ingredients, Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin was distilled in a beautiful alembic head pot still. Eleven botanicals give this London Dry gin its unique flavour, including sorrel and cowberries, which grow wild on the Glenrinnes Estate.
Made using both pot and column stills, this gin is pure and crisp with a delicacy to it that comes from the careful production process.
This gin is a product of time, knowhow and the natural gifts of the land.
On the nose: Big juniper, backed up by fresh pine and citrus.
On the palate: Sweet juniper balanced with tart red berries and citrus.
On the finish: Hints of black tea and warm spice.
*Winner of three medals at The Spirits Business Gin Masters Awards 2019. Gold medal winner in both the Organic and London Dry categories as well as a Master award medal in the Ultra Premium category.
Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka – 42% ABV, RRP: £37:
Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka is as clear and pure as the Speyside spring water used to make it. The process involves organic barley and wheat, a two-stage fermentation process, and a combination of pot and column stills.
The method is unusual and time-consuming – Glenrinnes does exactly what it takes to create a vodka with genuine character.
On the nose: Well-rounded marzipan and vanilla pods.
On the palate: You can taste the quality grain, leading into butterscotch and coconut.
On the finish: Long and smooth with a hint of spice on the palate.
For further information, images, interviews and sample requests, please contact:
May Fox Communications:
Emily Harris: emily.harris@mayfox.co.uk t: 07917 899491
Ruth Mulcare: ruth.mulcare@mayfox.co.uk t: 07443 512566