Blackwoods

Founded in 2002 in the remote Shetland Islands, Blackwoods has chosen its home in the prestigious Ardgowan estate, just 40 minutes from Glasgow. Here, the company benefits from a natural spring that delivers water of superior purity and sweetness, a fundamental element in creating distillates of excellence. The proximity to the sea, combined with the mitigating and warming influence of the Gulf Stream, creates a unique microclimate, ideal for producing gin that embodies the authentic Scottish maritime heritage.

Blackwoods distillates stand out for their distinctive Scottish accent, achieved by incorporating local native botanicals such as seaweeds, sea buckthorn, and water mint, balanced by vibrant citrus notes that impart freshness and complexity. Since 2005, Blackwoods has collaborated with award-winning Master Distiller Sion Edwards, whose signature appears on the labels and who has led the development of innovative recipes, including the first distillation at the new Ardgowan site in 2024 using the copper still “Marie”, dedicated to a local historical figure. This partnership has given rise to iconic products like Premium Grain Vodka, Classic Dry Gin Vintage, and Navy Strength Gin, all certified vegan, distilled in small batches, and produced with recycled materials for a carbon-negative environmental commitment.

The company’s commitment to celebrating the best of Scottish production is evident in its pioneering innovation: Blackwoods was the world’s first distillery to launch a vintage gin. Each year, with meticulous care, it selects botanicals from the main national crops and distils them in small batches using a traditional copper still. The result is a product that captures the pure essence of Scotland: elegant, authentic, and timeless.