Biggar Gin

Biggar Gin is a family run business founded by brothers Euan and Stuart McVicar, based at the foot of the Tinto Hills just outside of the Scottish town of Biggar, from which they take the name of their gin.
 
Biggar is a small batch gin, but despite the small batch nature they have a bigger mentality, if you excuse the pun. The spirits are created by a combining traditional distillation methods with innovation and a strong sense of place.  

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The company logo of a black greyhound has an interesting backstory, in 1821 The Biggar Coursing Club was founded, and they sent their greyhounds off racing across the fields. By 1868 the interest in the club was declining, so the members changed it from a greyhound club to a social club. The member fees were used to purchase fine wines and spirits, soon the club was earning itself a reputation, being mentioned in early twentieth century magazines  that ‘if the taste for coursing has become extinct in the district, that for good wine has most certainly not.’

Biggar Gin has embraced the nature of the former social club and continues to keep the tradition going by providing quality spirits.

The botanicals used are a combination of the traditional and more obscure, and where possible they're sourced locally from the botanicals that surrounded them.  On the traditional side we have pink peppercorn, coriander seeds, cardamon pods,

​British lavender, cassia bark, Orris Root, and of course juniper. The more interesting botanicals come in the form of rosehip, rowanberry and nettle, but I assure you the gin won't leave you stinging. Finally the gin is bottled at a pleasant 43%. 

SilverFox Tasting Notes
​Taking a brisk walk up the hills your nostrils fill with the clean, warm air, which has the crisp scent of nature around you. Reaching the top you're washed over by gentle sweetness, before heading back down the path again, through the woody and earthy undergrowth.

Biggar Tasting Notes
Nose:  Mellow, aromatic citrus with a hint of hedgerows marrying with gentle spice
Palate:  Smooth and initially sweet on the palate followed by an almost creamy juniper and citrus burst
Finish:  Complex but smooth spice cooled by notes of lavender and rounded out by woody cassia

Average Price: £32.00
Fox's Rating: 8/10

This is a nice little gin with a Biggar attitude. Biggar Gin lends itself well to a crisp tonic, their recommended garnish is orange, it can also be enjoyed with a light ginger ale. I found it makes a more than acceptable Gimlet, and also works well in a Negroni.
Biggar Gin is available here - ​www.biggargin.com/shop