Meet House of Elrick – Scotland’s Hand-Crafted Artisan Gin

This month we’d like to introduce you to one of Scotland’s newest gin producers, House of Elrick. This unique destination-distillery is tucked away in Aberdeenshire, on an estate steeped in history and a place which has seen a number of creative and maverick individuals pass through its doors. Once visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie, who gifted the Jacobite rose to the estate, House of Elrick may be a new brand but its foundations are quite the opposite.

Starting with a signature gin and now expanding their successful product range, House of Elrick will soon open its doors to the public. An 8-bedroom home, a walled garden, and a restaurant will make it the perfect destination for weddings or other special occasions. We got to speak with owner Stuart, who purchased the estate with a vision of turning it into an experiential venue. He shares the story of the brand as well as his best tips for how to prepare a classic G&T.

Keep reading to discover more about this unique brand and to find out how you can win a bottle of House of Elrick gin and a beautiful botanical box. We got to sample this delicious gin and we rate it very highly!

1. Could you tell us about your business and how it started? 

The business concept started when I purchased the Elrick House Estate. I wanted to create a destination venue that would make the local community proud and put House of Elrick on the map. The gin came off the back of the idea to have a field to fork restaurant. And what better way to enjoy dinner than with a nice long G&T? This was the idea that prompted me to include a distillery into my plans.

2. How did you get into the gin making business and what’s your favourite thing about it?

It’s always been about creating a destination venue with something different to offer people. The best thing about it is working in the rural countryside and meeting some very talented people in the industry.

3. What’s a typical working day like?

When you are a new company growing through the ranks, no two days are alike or typical! I aim to rise around 7:30 am and begin the day by checking all the equipment and washing it down following the previous days distilling, before transferring the spirit to a holding tank. This is followed by some brief office time, answering emails and processing orders. At 10:30 I’ll grab a coffee and do my daily stock checks. Next, I check in with my pr and marketing team before afternoon meetings.

Today, I am meeting the designers that are working on some new packaging ideas for me. Finally, before signing off global shipments, I head over to the House of Elrick Estate to check out the latest constructions. I am balancing the distillery with the refurbishment of Elrick House, along with a couple of other accommodation projects and path construction in my soon-to-be walled garden.

4. Gin is so popular these days – what makes House of Elrick unique and stand out against others?

Although we are a relatively new brand, our foundations are steeped in history. Our mission is to create a unique destination experience using premium and sustainable ingredients to delivery the perfect G&T.

The USP for the brand is our links to Bonnie Prince Charlie and use of Loch Ness water along with celebrating all the previous occupants of the house, who were all very much entrepreneurs, the house is key to the brand and the entire enlightenment era. The estate was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie prior to his bid to liberate Scotland and our gardens display the stunning Jacobite rose said to have been gifted to the estate from Italy.

The blend of our botanicals is unique but our main stand out element is that we are the only gin to use water from Loch Ness in our distilling process. Our liquid is distilled by hand in batches of 600 bottles per run, which means we can maintain control over every bottle that leaves our distillery, and our botanicals are handpicked before each distillation. When crafting the absolute best in premium spirits, quality over quantity is key.

5. In three words, how would you describe House of Elrick gin?

Progressive, honest, ambitious.

6. You’re based in Aberdeen – where can Edinburgh folk sample House of Elrick gin? And can people visit the distillery?

We’re currently stocked in Dine, Nauticus, The Borough, The Melville and soon to be Herringbone.  We currently don’t offer tours of the distillery but this is something we’re working on and it will be open to the public once the estate renovations are complete.

7. How do you develop new products? What is the process like from start to finish?

Understanding the market and what consumers want, but always keeping true to the brand and why we started the company. We never want to have products that don’t relate to ourselves and customers.

Making sure we have quality botanicals is key, so undertaking trials in order to do this helps make the decision on how to build the recipe. Friends are always willing tasters when I develop new lines to the spirit range.

8. What’s your favourite way to drink House of Elrick gin?

The best way to enjoy our gin is with friends. A good pour of our Gin over lots of ice and garnished with orange zest really pulls through the citrus elements. Make sure you use a light tonic that suits your own taste. We recommend sampling the gin and tonic separate to get the right measure between the two before mixing.

9. What does 2019 have in store for House of Elrick? 

The main focus for 2019 is about building the brand. Our estate is on course to be complete, which will include an 8-bedroom home – perfect for weddings – a walled garden, an ensuite restaurant and of course, the distillery. We’re also currently developing some new products but I can’t say any more on that just yet, so stay tuned…

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COMPETITION TIME

(Competition now closed)

Win a bottle of House of Elrick Gin and a beautiful Botanical Box!

The competition runs from Thursday the 11th April until midnight on Wednesday the 17th April 2019. 

The giveaway is open for entry to everybody over 18 in the UK.  This promotion is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

For a chance to win, choose from one of the following options:

1. Like House of Elrick & Dickins Facebook pages and share the competition post on Dickins Facebook page.

2. Follow House of Elrick & Dickins on Twitter and retweet one of the competition tweets on the Dickins Twitter account.

3. Follow House of Elrick & Dickins on Instagram and tag a friend on the competition post on the Dickins Instagram account.

Make sure you follow us on social media so you don’t miss out on our monthly giveaways!

GOOD LUCK!