Edinburgh Gin
Product brand
UnclaimedEdinburgh Gin is a Scottish gin and gin-liqueur brand distilled in Edinburgh and operated by Ian MacLeod Distillers.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Edinburgh Gin is a Scottish gin and gin-liqueur brand founded in 2010 by married couple Alex and Jane Nichol. The brand was developed by the Spencerfield Spirit Company, an independent drinks business that had previously focused on bottling blended whiskies. Alex Nichol brought experience from drinks companies including Glenmorangie, Laphroaig and Whyte & Mackay, while the couple had operated Spencerfield since 2005 from Spencerfield Farmhouse in Fife. Before entering gin, the company marketed its spirits through a converted horsebox at agricultural and trade events in Scotland and northern England. The first Edinburgh Gin bottling was released in June 2010. Its Art Deco-inspired bottle design referenced the strong association between gin and the 1920s. Initial production took place at Langley Distillery in England, using a 12,000-litre copper pot still known as Jenny. Early growth was supported by trade-show exposure, and the brand entered Waitrose stores in Scotland in 2011. Its portfolio subsequently expanded beyond the original expression to include Edinburgh Seaside Gin, Edinburgh Cannonball Gin, Edinburgh Raspberry Liqueur and other seasonal, collaborative and limited-edition products. Edinburgh Gin gradually developed a substantial physical presence in its namesake city. In 2014, Spencerfield opened a small distillery, bar and visitor attraction at Rutland Place in Edinburgh's West End. The site used two 150-litre stills, Flora and Caledonia, for seasonal and special releases. A second Edinburgh production site was acquired at the Biscuit Factory in Leith in 2016. Seaside Gin production moved there from Rutland Place in 2018, and by 2016 the brand's gin distillation was being carried out wholly within Edinburgh. The brand became part of Ian MacLeod Distillers in 2016, when that company acquired Spencerfield Spirit Company. The Spencerfield identity was subsequently wound down while Edinburgh Gin and the company's whisky brands were incorporated into the Ian MacLeod portfolio. The acquisition supported further investment in production and tourism. In 2018, Ian MacLeod acquired an East Market Street site and announced plans for a larger Edinburgh Gin brand home and distillery attraction. The resulting Arches distillery, brand home and visitor centre opened to the public on 6 December 2024. Built around remnants of the former Trinity Church and incorporating historic arches and brickwork, the site contains two 2,000-litre stills, Annie and Lina, and a smaller experimental still named Matilda. Visitor experiences include distillery tours, gin-making sessions, gin-and-chocolate pairings and seasonal events. A rooftop bar was added in summer 2025. The brand therefore operates not only as a packaged spirits label but also as a tourism and hospitality business centered on Edinburgh. Edinburgh Gin uses both maceration and vapour-infusion techniques. Many botanicals are steeped overnight in neutral grain spirit, while more delicate ingredients are suspended in the still head. The Classic Gin uses juniper from North Macedonia, whereas Seaside Gin and Cannonball Gin use Italian juniper. The brand has received recognition in competitions including SIP, the International Wine and Spirit Competition and Great Taste. It has also pursued cultural collaborations and Edinburgh Fringe-related limited editions, including projects associated with Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2021 and Eddie Izzard in 2023.
History
Edinburgh Gin emerged from Spencerfield Spirit Company, an independent Scottish drinks business founded and operated by Alex and Jane Nichol. Spencerfield had been active as an independent bottler since 2005, handling blended whiskies marketed under the Pigs Nose and Sheep Dip names. The business was based at the sixteenth-century Spencerfield Farmhouse in Fife and initially relied on direct promotion at farm shows and trade events. Its mobile marketing setup included a converted horsebox, which the company used to introduce its spirits to consumers in Scotland and northern England. The Nichols diversified into gin in 2010, founding Edinburgh Gin and releasing the first bottling in June of that year. Alex Nichol's previous experience with Glenmorangie, Laphroaig and Whyte & Mackay gave the venture a background in premium spirits. Although the product was named for Edinburgh, its early production was carried out at Langley Distillery in England using a large copper pot still called Jenny. The brand's bottle adopted an Art Deco aesthetic, drawing on gin's historical popularity during the 1920s. Trade-show exposure helped establish awareness, and Edinburgh Gin secured a listing with Waitrose stores in Scotland in 2011. The company expanded into direct consumer engagement in 2014 by opening a small distillery, bar and visitor attraction at Rutland Place in Edinburgh's West End. Two 150-litre stills, Flora and Caledonia, were used for seasonal and special releases. A second Edinburgh distillery followed in 2016 at the Biscuit Factory in Leith. Production of the core Edinburgh Gin moved increasingly into the city, while Seaside Gin was transferred from Rutland Place to Leith in 2018. By 2016, all distillation of Edinburgh Gin was taking place within Edinburgh. The brand's commercial growth was reflected in industry rankings. Nielsen Scantrack identified Edinburgh Gin as Scotland's fastest-growing gin brand in 2015, and Edinburgh Raspberry Liqueur was reported as one of Scotland's most valuable gin brands that year. By 2018, Edinburgh Gin was described as Scotland's sixth most valuable off-trade drinks brand, ranking ahead of several established beer and whisky names. A major ownership change occurred in 2016, when Ian MacLeod Distillers acquired Spencerfield Spirit Company. Edinburgh Gin and Spencerfield's whisky brands joined Ian MacLeod's portfolio, while the Spencerfield corporate identity was gradually retired. Ian MacLeod subsequently invested in a larger production and visitor facility. In 2018, it acquired an East Market Street site and announced plans for a new brand home intended to function as both a distillery and a tourism destination. The East Market Street project became The Arches, named for its incorporation of historic architectural elements from the former Trinity Church site. The attraction opened on 6 December 2024 with tours, gin-making experiences and food-and-drink pairing events. Its production equipment includes two 2,000-litre stills, Annie and Lina, named for early female gardeners at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, plus a smaller experimental still called Matilda. The site preserves listed and historic nineteenth-century structures within a modern visitor complex. A Roof Terrace Bar was added in summer 2025. Production combines overnight maceration with vapour infusion. Most botanicals are steeped in neutral grain spirit, while delicate ingredients are suspended in the still head. Different expressions use different juniper origins: North Macedonian juniper is used for Classic Gin, while Seaside and Cannonball use Italian juniper. The brand has received awards from SIP, the International Wine and Spirit Competition and Great Taste. Its cultural marketing has included limited editions linked to Edinburgh's Fringe Festival and collaborations with Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Eddie Izzard.
- 2025
Roof Terrace Bar added
[1]A second rooftop bar is added to The Arches in summer 2025.
- 2024
The Arches opens
[1]The new East Market Street distillery and visitor centre opens to the public on 6 December.
- 2018
Seaside Gin production moves to Leith
[1]Production of Edinburgh Seaside Gin moves from Rutland Place to the Biscuit Factory in Leith.
- 2018
East Market Street site acquired
[1]Ian MacLeod acquires the site that will become Edinburgh Gin's larger brand home and distillery attraction.
- 2016
Ian MacLeod Distillers acquires Spencerfield
[1]Edinburgh Gin becomes part of Ian MacLeod Distillers, and a second production site is acquired at the Biscuit Factory in Leith.
- 2014
Rutland Place distillery and visitor attraction opens
[1]The brand opens a small Edinburgh distillery, bar and public visitor attraction with two 150-litre stills.
- 2011
First Waitrose listing in Scotland
[1]Edinburgh Gin enters Waitrose stores in Scotland after early trade-show growth.
- 2010
Edinburgh Gin is founded
[1]The Nichols diversify into gin and release the first Edinburgh Gin bottling in June.
- 2005
Spencerfield Spirit Company begins independent bottling
[1]Alex and Jane Nichol operate Spencerfield Spirit Company as an independent bottler before entering the gin category.
Products and positioning
A contemporary Scottish gin brand combining Edinburgh provenance, botanical experimentation, premium presentation and experiential tourism. Its identity is built around city-based distillation, local cultural associations and a broad portfolio ranging from a core classic gin to maritime, high-strength, fruit-led and limited-edition expressions.
Core gin · 2010
Edinburgh Gin Classic
The original Edinburgh Gin expression and the foundation of the brand's portfolio. It is produced using a combination of botanical maceration and vapour infusion, with juniper sourced from North Macedonia. The product's presentation uses Art Deco-inspired styling that connects the brand to gin's historic 1920s associations. It is positioned as the principal, broadly accessible expression for retail and hospitality use.
Botanical gin
Edinburgh Seaside Gin
A coastal-themed Edinburgh Gin expression associated with maritime botanicals and the city's relationship with the Firth of Forth. Production was initially carried out at the Rutland Place site before moving to the Biscuit Factory in Leith in 2018. It uses Italian juniper and forms part of the brand's range of place-led botanical gins.
High-strength gin
Edinburgh Cannonball Gin
A stronger Edinburgh Gin expression developed as a bold variation on the core product. Cannonball uses Italian juniper and has been recognized in international spirits competition, receiving an IWSC Gold award in 2015. It represents the brand's strategy of extending its portfolio through distinctive strength and botanical profiles.
Gin liqueur
Edinburgh Raspberry Liqueur
A fruit-led gin liqueur made as part of Edinburgh Gin's move beyond traditional dry gin. Its raspberry profile gives the brand an accessible, sweeter offering for mixed drinks and liqueur occasions. Nielsen Scantrack identified it as the fifteenth most valuable gin brand overall in Scotland in 2015, according to the cited reference material.
Limited-edition gin
Limited-edition and collaboration gins
Edinburgh Gin periodically releases seasonal and limited-edition expressions themed around people, places and cultural events connected with Edinburgh, including the Fringe Festival. The program has included collaborations associated with Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2021 and Eddie Izzard in 2023. These releases support experimentation, cultural relevance and collectability beyond the permanent range.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Eddie Izzard limited edition
United Kingdom
The brand introduced a limited-edition gin associated with Eddie Izzard and its continuing program of cultural collaborations.
Outcome. The expression broadened the brand's association with Edinburgh-linked entertainment and festival culture.
- 2021Phoebe Waller-Bridge limited edition
United Kingdom
Edinburgh Gin released a limited-edition expression connected with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as part of its cultural and Fringe-related activity.
Outcome. The release extended the brand's use of cultural collaborations and limited editions.
- 2010Mobile farm-show promotion
Scotland · Northern England
The wider Spencerfield business promoted its spirits through a converted horsebox at farm shows and trade events, helping introduce Edinburgh Gin to specialist and consumer audiences during its early development.
Outcome. The brand gained early visibility and subsequently secured a Waitrose listing in Scotland.
Brand decisions
2024
Opening of The ArchesProduct launchBackground
Ian MacLeod's planned East Market Street investment was intended to create a larger production site and visitor destination.
Action taken
Edinburgh Gin opened The Arches distillery, brand home and visitor centre to the public on 6 December 2024.
Aftermath
The brand gained a purpose-built visitor proposition with two 2,000-litre stills, an experimental still and multiple tour and pairing formats.
2018
Development of a larger Edinburgh brand homeStrategyBackground
The existing small distillery sites provided a foundation for tourism but did not represent the brand's planned long-term visitor capacity.
Action taken
Ian MacLeod acquired an East Market Street site and planned a new distillery and visitor attraction, later developed as The Arches.
Aftermath
The Arches opened in 2024 with production facilities, tours, hospitality and experiential programming.
2016
Acquisition by Ian MacLeod DistillersM&ABackground
Spencerfield Spirit Company was experiencing rapid growth in the gin category and had expanded its Edinburgh production footprint.
Action taken
Ian MacLeod Distillers acquired Spencerfield and added Edinburgh Gin to its portfolio.
Aftermath
The Spencerfield branding was wound down, while Ian MacLeod supported further production and visitor-attraction investment.
2014
Move into owned distilling and visitor experiencesStrategyBackground
Growing consumer interest created an opportunity for the brand to combine production with direct consumer engagement.
Action taken
Spencerfield opened a small distillery, bar and visitor attraction at Rutland Place in Edinburgh.
Aftermath
The site established Edinburgh Gin as both a spirits brand and a tourism proposition.
2010
Launch of the first Edinburgh GinProduct launchBackground
Spencerfield Spirit Company diversified from independent whisky bottling into gin.
Action taken
The company launched its first Edinburgh Gin bottling in June 2010, initially produced at Langley Distillery in England.
Aftermath
The brand developed quickly through trade-show promotion and gained a Scottish retail listing the following year.
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