(Jan 21st, 2025)

As the winds of our stunning Islands continue to shape the landscape and the seasons shift with their own distinct rhythm, we at The Orkney Gin Company are thrilled to introduce our latest creation – Sule Skerry Gin.
This gin, created for Craft Gin Club's special January gin, is set to debut with us this Spring, marking not just a new chapter in our distillery’s story but also a bold step forward in our commitment to bringing together tradition, heritage, and innovation in every drop.

Sule Skerry Gin is unlike anything we’ve ever crafted before – and it holds a special place in our hearts. It’s inspired by the windswept, isolated island of Sule Skerry, the westernmost point of Orkney, where the jagged rocks are home to little more than a lighthouse, sea birds, and selkies (seals). This far-flung, untamed place may be seen as remote or even eerie by some, but to us, it’s a beacon of warmth, safety, and direction—a perfect metaphor for a gin that offers brightness and clarity, especially during the long, dark months.
The Story Behind Sule Skerry Gin
At The Orkney Gin Company, we’re passionate about blending the rich heritage of the Orkney Islands with forward-thinking, contemporary spirit-making. As a close-knit family business, we draw on our Orcadian roots with every recipe we create, and Sule Skerry Gin is no exception. We (Gary and Andrea Watt, along with their daughter Erin and close friends), have worked tirelessly over the years to build a distillery that reflects our love for Orkney’s unique culture and landscape. And when it came to Sule Skerry, we wanted to capture the very essence of this mystical island and bring it to life in a bottle.
The inspiration for this gin came not just from the wild beauty of Sule Skerry but also from Gary’s fascination with the idea of balance and harmony - bringing him into the world of timeless recipes. For years, he’d been intrigued by the perfect balance of botanicals in craft cola, a drink that has a nostalgic place in the hearts of all. Could those same principles of balance apply to gin? Could we create something that marries the traditional juniper-forward flavour of gin with the warmth and spice of cola-inspired botanicals?
The result is Sule Skerry Gin—a unique expression that is both refreshing and complex, with a silky mouthfeel and a finish that lingers in the most delightful way.
Don't miss the launch! Make sure you've subscribed to our Mailing List by clicking the button below (if you received this by email, we’ve got you!):
(we don't send out a lot of emails, just important news, info and new spirits launches!)
**Can't wait? Need it now? Hurry! Craft Gin Club are offering this gin to Members (new and old!) during January.
(link may take you to the following month's boxes if clicking after January)
The Botanical Blend: A Marriage of Classic and Contemporary
When developing the recipe for Sule Skerry Gin, we wanted to honour both the history of gin and the exciting possibilities of traditional, yet modern (in the gin world) flavour combinations. Drawing inspiration from the traditional botanicals we know and love, we introduced a selection of more unusual ingredients to the mix. The gin opens with a fresh burst of citrus—zesty orange peel adds a bright, zesty note, while the complex spices of nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon round out the profile, adding warmth and depth.
But it’s the caramelised finish, reminiscent of craft cola, that truly sets Sule Skerry apart. This touch of smooth - almost butteriness, combined with the aromatic complexity of the botanicals, creates a full-bodied, yet incredibly smooth gin that captures the essence of Orkney’s wild landscape while offering something truly new and exciting for gin lovers. The balance between these flavours—fresh, spicy, silky, and herbal—is a reflection of the perfect harmony we see between Orkney’s land and sea, its history and its future.
This gin is designed to shine in classic serves like the gin and tonic, pairing beautifully with artisanal tonic waters such as Hartridges Indian Tonic, that compliment its flavours. Whether enjoyed neat or in a sophisticated cocktail, Sule Skerry Gin promises a delightful experience.
A Visual Journey into Orkney’s Soul
As with all our gins, the bottle for Sule Skerry Gin is an important part of telling the story. Designed by our incredibly talented daughter Erin, the label is a visual tribute to the island itself and the surrounding landscapes that inspire us. Featuring a stunning collage of Orkney’s breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, along with glimpses of the unique wildlife that calls the islands home, the design embodies the essence of Sule Skerry’s isolation, beauty, and strength.

One of the most striking elements of the label is the depiction of a “solan” bird—another name for the gannet—that soars over the seas of Orkney. These majestic birds are often seen diving for fish along the shores of our distillery, and they hold a special place in our hearts. To us, they symbolise the perfect union of wind and sea, grace and strength, much like the perfect balance we strive to achieve in every bottle of Sule Skerry Gin.

Did you know? 'The Great Selkie (or Silkie) of Sule Skerry'
is one of the best-known folk songs from our islands!
In addition to the solan bird, if you look close, you’ll notice a selkie (seal) inside the bottle as you move it around, a nod to the legends of the selkie folk, who are an integral part of Orcadian folklore. These magical beings, who can shift between human and seal form, reflect the mysterious and enchanting nature of Sule Skerry itself, a place where the land, sea, and stories intertwine to create something truly extraordinary.
We don't want you to miss it! Make sure you've subscribed to our Mailing List by clicking the button below (if you received this by email, we’ve got you!):
(we don't send out a lot of emails, just important news, info and new spirits launches!)
A Beacon of Brightness in the Dark
For us, Sule Skerry Gin is more than just a new product; it’s a symbol of what we love about Orkney—the rugged beauty, the traditions that have been passed down through generations, and the incredible natural ingredients that make this place so unique. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest winter months, there’s always light to be found, whether it’s in the form of the lighthouse on Sule Skerry or the burst of citrus and spice in every sip of our gin.
As the winter winds howl and the island landscape seems to retreat into the quiet darkness, Sule Skerry Gin offers a beacon of brightness, a guiding light that lifts your spirits and invites you to experience the true flavours of Orkney in a new and exciting way. Whether you’re sipping it neat, mixed with tonic, or in one of your favourite cocktails, we know that Sule Skerry will bring a little bit of sunshine into your glass, no matter the season.
So, what makes Sule Skerry Gin so special? It’s the seamless combination of traditional gin-making methods with innovative, contemporary ingredients. It’s the way it captures the soul of Orkney—the sea, the land, the stories, and the people. It's a New-Western Gin, inspired by the most Western of Orkney's Islands. It’s a gin that not only pays homage to the past but also looks to the future with boldness and excitement.
What is a New Western Gin? New Western gins represent an exciting evolution of traditional juniper-focused gins. They incorporate a variety of botanicals, including citrus, herbs, flowers, and spices. Compared to London Dry gins, New Western gins are sometimes perceived as sweeter. However, Sule Skerry Gin is not typically characterised as sweet; it is very much a dry gin. The subtle hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla contribute a delicate caramel note to the finish.
We couldn’t be more proud to share it with you as part of Craft Gin Club’s Gin of the Month for January, and officially release Sule Skerry Gin here in Orkney in early Spring. It’s a gin that embodies everything we stand for at The Orkney Gin Company: quality, authenticity, and the spirit of Orkney itself.
We hope that when you pour a glass of Sule Skerry Gin, you’ll feel the same magic that we do. From our family to yours, enjoy a true taste of Orkney— captivating, bold, bright, and always unforgettable.
Cheers!
More updates coming soon, we promise!
We don't want you to miss the launch in early Spring! Make sure you've subscribed to our Mailing List by clicking the button below (if you got this by email, ae already have you sorted!):
(we don't send out a lot of emails, just important news, info and new spirits launches!)
Want it now? Hurry! Craft Gin Club are offering this gin to Members (new and old!) during January.
(link may take you to the following month's boxes if clicking after January)

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