The House of Botanicals in Aberdeen City, Scotland, is the city's oldest spirit business still running. Adam and Steffie Elan-Elmegirab started it in 2009. It's a B Corp and offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional distilleries. They focus on Gins, Cocktail Bitters, and Aperitivi & Digestivo.
Their main product is the Classic Old Tom Gin. It's a modern take on a traditional British juniper spirit. It has Italian juniper berries, Egyptian chamomile flowers, Moroccan saffron, and Belizean muscovado sugar. In 2022, it won a Gold Outstanding Medal and 98 points from the IWSC. This is the highest score for an Old Tom Gin.
The House of Botanicals uses both old and new methods. They use high-quality British grain spirit and the best global botanicals. All spirits are natural, with no preservatives, synthetic flavours, or colourings.
The term 'cocktail' is important to them. It's been defined since 1806 as a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. Bitters are key in mixed drinks. They've been popular again for the last two decades in drinks like the Old Fashioned.
Bitters started as medicine in the late 1600s. They were used for digestion and in drinks. The brand makes bitters with traditional and new ingredients. These include cacao, tea, and chillies. Bitters add complexity to both food and drinks.
The House of Botanicals focuses on quality. They honour traditional spirit-making and lead innovation in the industry. Their range respects the past and fits modern tastes.