First Impressions
The Secret Garden Distillery started as a derelict 7.5-acre plot on the outskirts of Edinburgh — now home to over 600 naturally grown botanical varieties and the UK's only distillery with a fully functional botanical garden. Seasonal botanicals are grown and tended on-site, creating genuine garden-to-glass provenance at the foot of the Pentland Hills.
Tasting
The nose is natural, fresh herbaceous and savoury with lemon verbena and lavender lift. On the palate, bright zingy citrus backed by juniper and savoury green herbaceous notes — the garden providing genuine seasonal complexity. The finish is smooth with floral and herbaceous notes persisting.
The Bottom Line
Secret Garden earns a 7 for the ultimate garden-to-glass gin. Growing 600 botanical varieties on-site is unmatched in the UK, and the seasonal approach means each batch has genuine terroir. The distillery tour — combining gin tasting with a botanical garden walk — is one of Edinburgh's best experiences.
