Since spending the summer in Edinburgh, Eden Mill’s Blendworks Gin School has been on tour across Scotland. Now, it’s heading north again to launch at St Andrews’ The Rusacks Hotel, where it will take up residence at the newly opened 18 Restaurant and Bar, which offers views of the 18th green and iconic Old Course and West Sands.
The Eden Mill Blendworks Gin School offers spirit fans the chance to create their own bespoke gin. Totaling two-hour and guided by one of the brand’s experienced gin masters, the experience first teaches guests about the science and history behind gin while enjoying a serve of one of the brand’s popular offerings. Next, a tasting session allows attendees to explore the different botanicals and flavor profiles found in the spirit. From there, visitors are invited to select their own botanicals to create their unique blend.
Once guests have made their gin, they can enjoy the first sip served as a classic gin and tonic with a selection of canapes created by 18 at Rusacks St Andrews’ executive chef Derek Johnstone. The 38-year-old chef has worked with some of the world’s most renowned chefs and in Michelin-starred kitchens around Europe, including Le Gavroche in London, De Karmeliet in Belgium, and DO near Milan.
“The team and I are ecstatic to be involved; we’ve been working closely with Eden Mill to create canapes that will complement the botanicals that can be used in the gins,” said Johnstone.
Guests will also get the chance to name and bottle their blend to take home and will receive an Eden Mill gin glass and a special code which enables them to reorder their own spirit at any stage.
The next experience takes place on Saturday December 11 at 3pm. It will be bookable every second week of the month from January 2022. Tickets cost £95pp and are available to buy from www.18standrews.co.uk.
In July, Gordon Ramsay partnered with Eden Mill to unveil his first gin as part of a new range, Six River. The new spirit is said to be inspired by the “unique flavours of Fife” in Scotland.