Our latest 'Introducing Orkney's Makers' feature focuses on the Orkney Gin Company, a family-owned and operated business and makers of award-winning gins, vodkas, and spirits. We spoke with Erin Watt, the company's marketing manager, and daughter of owners Gary and Andrea.
Where did the idea for the business come from, and how did you get things started?
Orkney Gin Company began, as many good things do, around the family table. Mum and dad have always loved food and drink, and for years they made handmade drinks as Christmas gifts for family and friends. The feedback was so lovely that they began to wonder if their homemade creations might have the makings of something more. A blind tasting gave them the confidence to take the leap!
At the time, Orkney had whisky but no gin or other spirits being made here, and we felt there was a wonderful opportunity to create something that truly represented our islands.
We’ve always loved local ingredients, family traditions and the charm of times gone by, so we decided to do things the old-fashioned way; as a close-knit family business, making spirits with plenty of care and character. Even our name and old-worldly bottles reflect that love of the past. What began as Christmas presents has turned into quite a family venture!
Your range has continued to grow since you started, what do you have on offer at the moment?
We started with two gins: Johnsmas, inspired by summer, and Mikkelmas, our autumn and winter expression. We couldn’t decide which to launch first, so naturally, we launched both! Since then, our range has grown into a rather lovely collection of award-winning spirits, each with its own little story.
Our much-loved Rhubarb Old Tom Gin was an early favourite, followed by our first 'other spirit', Orkney Akvavit, inspired by the historic links between Orkney and Norway. We also make eight-times-distilled Orkney Vodka, our well-known Aatta and Sule Skerry Gins, and special editions including Christmas Old Tom Gin and Camp 34 Lemon Gin.
We’re a small family business, so we prefer to put our energy into making exceptional-quality spirits rather than opening a shop or visitor centre. This Christmas, we’ve also created brand-new festive gift sets, alongside other thoughtful gifts, including recycling kits and candles made from recycled gin bottles. Something for the spirits lover, the gift-giver and the person who’s impossible to buy for!
Does Orkney offer any inspiration when you're crafting your spirits?
Orkney’s influence is so much more than a little inspiration; it’s woven into just about everything we do. From our spirits and their names to our bottle designs, stories and ingredients, the islands are always part of the picture.
We love exploring Orkney’s history and folklore, discovering the natural ingredients that grow here and looking back at what Orcadians have eaten and drank through the generations.
Our family also has a long seafaring history, and dad is still a captain on a local ship. That connection to the sea finds its way into our work through mermaids, seabirds and bottles inspired by the old glass treasures you might discover washed up on an Orkney beach.
We want our spirits to feel as though they belong here: a little wild, steeped in history and full of island character. After all, where better to find inspiration than our home?
What are your future plans for the business?
At the moment, we’re busy dreaming up a few new spirits and creating lots of lovely Orkney-themed gifts. Christmas is always an exciting time for us, as we enjoy finding new ways to share a little piece of the islands with people, wherever they might be celebrating.
One day, we’d love to have a much bigger distillery. We’re still tucked away in our little family-run premises beside our home in Burray Village.
Personally, I’d love to welcome people in, even if only part-time, to show them what we get up to each day. We’re a small family business, and it would be wonderful to share the stories, inspiration and behind-the-scenes goings-on that make our spirits what they are.
For now, we’ll keep doing what we love: creating characterful spirits, celebrating Orkney and seeing where it takes us. There’s always something bubbling away, quite literally sometimes!
Christmas is coming - what’s your favourite thing about the festive season in Orkney?
This might be a slightly controversial answer, but I absolutely love Orkney’s winter weather! I grew up in a wonderfully adventurous family who were always keen to get outdoors, whatever the weather was doing.
If it was blowing a gale, we’d pile into the car to watch the wild seas. If we were feeling particularly brave (or perhaps a little daft), we’d grab a boogie board and splash about in the waves, with seabirds battling the wind above us.
I love snow, too, and the way it transforms the landscape: dramatic skies, crisp white fields and all those beautiful, moody colours. For some bizarre reason, I’m quite happy driving in it, although I should probably add that everyone’s safety comes first!
There’s something magical about Orkney in winter. It can be wild and a wee bit ridiculous, but it’s also beautiful. And after a good dose of fresh sea air, nothing beats heading home to warm up and just listening from the safety of home.
If you could have one other Orkney product for Christmas, what would it be?
I’d choose a beautiful blanket from Hilary Grant. I absolutely love bold patterns and cheery colours, and her designs are just gorgeous.
There’s something lovely about a gift that’s both beautiful and useful, especially at Christmas in Orkney, when the wind is howling outside and the idea of a cosy evening on the sofa becomes very appealing!
Orkney is full of talented people making wonderful things, and it’s always a joy to discover something that captures a little of the place we call home. A beautiful blanket would be a very welcome Christmas present indeed!
Find out more about the Orkney Gin Company and visit the official website to order online. You can also pick up Orkney Gin Company bottles at local shops across Orkney.
You can also find Orkney Gin Company on Instagram and Facebook.