Dale and Vicky McQueen were really looking to do something when they founded McQueen Gin.
Rather than go along with the usual Gin recipes and flavour, they sought to totally transform the category. As such, they released five different Gins with names that include “Smoky Chilli”, “Mocha”, “Chocolate Mint” and “Spiced Chocolate Orange”. If that doesn’t pique our interest then nothing will.
The couple opened their Trossach’s Distillery in Callander in 2015, with the release of their Gins happening in 2016.
Since then they have gone on to win several awards including gold, silver and bronze at various international
spirits competitions.
They have won not only on flavour, but on packaging as well.
Everything about their Gins speaks quality and uniqueness. Their Gins are all about pushing boundaries and
being different.
Even their Super Premium Dry Gin, which is the most normal of their concoctions, is packed with flavour and character.
It is made using juniper, grains of paradise, grapefruit, lime and vanilla, and has a crisp, refreshing note
from the beginning.
The nose opens with lots of juniper and earthy qualities. It is like walking through a damp forest on a
summer’s evening.
The earthiness is sweet and rich. The vanilla really brings it to life, adding a slightly wooded tone to the
flavour profile.
There is also a delicate nuttiness and slightly spicy note that comes form the grains of paradise.
This explodes on the palate, where the sharpness of the grapefruit comes through especially well.
The vanilla is thick and rich, with more sweetness and almost caramel like notes to it.
The juniper is wonderfully complex, with slight hints of pine needles appearing. This goes well with the spicy notes from the grains of paradise.
The finish is long, with lots of juniper and one final note of grapefruit.
If you’re looking for something a little different to the typical Gin, then any one of the McQueen Gin range is perfect. Their Super Premium Dry Gin may not be the most adventurous of their spirits, but it is certainly one
of their best.
