Other duties were imposed, but the Vices alluded to in the Act of 1735 continued; the crime rate increased and this, along with poverty and ill-health, was blamed on the consumption of gin. We look forward to bringing you more news about the opening of the Ardross Distillery in due course. As that top layer peels away, the rose and oolong tea flip flopping between garden fresh and golden straw. There are discreet, but linger a while and they will emerge. Just by the upfront waft and the secondary layer - not even tasting it - you can tell a lot . of blending and balancing that’s gone on here (especially once you realise that lavender, orris and pink pepper are the things that are giving it an extra lift and a little larger stage presence, but are almost indistinguishable in their own right). It’s an impressive combination to have put together. According to Keivan Nemati, a master mixologist and trainee perfumer, the unusual citrus of kaffir lime and pomelo (a grapefruit-like fruit without the bitterness) are the first things you’ll taste as you drink Theodore Pictish Gin. We’ve seen that in short serves like Martinis, the juniper and the pine really come through,” Keivan says, “while in longer serves like a G&T or a Tom Collins you would get more of the floral and citrus botanicals coming through. It’s very versatile.”

Theodore Gin is named after 16th Century engraver Theodore De Bry, a man most famous for his illustrative work in Les Grands Voyages (aka “The Discovery of America”). He also published the largely identical India Orientalis series, as well as many other illustrated works on a wide range of subjects, including as you might have guessed - the Picts. The Picts were body-painted warriors who existed so long ago that, for the most part, remain a total mystery. While they appear on written records that date from Late Antiquity to the 10th Century, stories passed down from generation to generation have blurred the lines a bit. All we really know, and not even for sure, is that they travelled from as far as Scandinavia to settle in the wilds of Scotland. As with the distillery’s ethos of innovation, two master distillers have collaborated in its creation – one British, Andrew W. Rankin, and one French, Barnabe Fillion, combining traditional and new techniques.The body-painted warriors are alleged to have travelled from as far as Scythia and Scandinavia to settle amidst the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands. The only traces of this lost tribe, famed for their courage and craftsmanship are echoed in the art, engravings and forgotten fortresses of Scotland. Mentored by Christine Nagel – the nose at Hermès – Barnabé has brought a contemporary, Pictish approach to the distilling process.

Greenwood Distillers’ team includes Andrew Rankin as chairman and master blender. With 45 years’ experience, Rankin joined the distillery in 2015 after holding roles at Chivas Brothers and Morrison Bowmore Distillers. There are sixteen botanicals in total: juniper, angelica, coriander, cardamom, pink pepper, orris, honey, lavender, pomelo, chamomile, ginger, oolong tea, damask rose, lime leaf, bourbon vetiver and pine. Any Gin fan worth their salt will spot a few familiar faces, but more than that they’ll notice a whole raft of recognisable flavours, albeit those that haven’t necessarily been put together before in Gin form. Consider our interests raised…A Dissertation on Mr. Hogarth's Six Prints Lately Publish'd inscrib'd to the Lord Mayor, City of London and Worshipful Court of Aldermen, 1751. Founder Barthelemy Brosseau said: “We have collaborated with an eclectic team of individuals who are pushing boundaries in their respective fields to create something special. Theodore pays tribute to the Picts with a bold and characterful gin that embodies the Pictish spirit. It is for anyone who is looking to whet a curious appetite.” These botanicals include pomelo, pine, damask rose, honey and oolong tea, creatinga fresh and elegant gin with a floral heart and warm, rich finish. The new gin is said to be ‘Scottish by birth and Pictish by nature’. Greenwood is also planning to launch a mezcal, Armagnac and Bourbon by spring 2019, as well as a “rare” Scotch whisky by autumn this year.