First Impressions
Shetland Reel Gin is made at Saxa Vord Distillery on the island of Unst — the northernmost inhabited island in the British Isles. It is, by a comfortable margin, the most remote gin distillery in Britain, and the isolation is not merely geographical. The Shetland Islands have a character entirely their own — shaped by Norse heritage, Atlantic weather, and a fierce independence that mainland Scotland cannot quite claim. Shetland Reel channels that character into a small-batch gin distilled in a copper still with a botanical that no other British gin can authentically claim: Unst-grown apple mint.
The distillery won a Silver Medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Awards — a notable achievement for an operation so remote that its botanicals must be sourced with particular creativity and commitment.
The Distillery
Saxa Vord Distillery sits on the former RAF base at the northern tip of Unst. The gin uses a traditional botanical bouquet — juniper, coriander, orris root, cassia, and citrus peel — alongside locally grown apple mint. The apple mint is the gin's point of distinction: a variety that produces a gentler, sweeter mintiness than peppermint or spearmint, and one that grows well in the Shetland climate. At 49% ABV, the gin is bottled at near-navy strength, giving the botanicals real intensity and body.
Tasting
The nose is quite light — the botanicals present themselves with restraint rather than bombast. Classic juniper and a light coriander note establish the gin's traditional credentials, and citrus peel is clearly present though subdued. The lightest hit of menthol from the apple mint hovers at the edges, hinting at the freshness to come. It is a nose that invites closer attention rather than announcing itself from across the room.
On the palate, the gin reveals more of its character. Juniper leads with proper authority — the 49% ABV ensures it has the body to carry the botanicals — followed by mixed spice and a subtle sweetness. A citrus tang provides brightness, and then, at the end of the palate, the apple mint arrives with a refreshing, herbal quality that is genuinely delightful. It is clean and fresh, the kind of flavour that makes you think of wide open spaces and Atlantic air. The high ABV gives the palate weight without harshness.
The finish is clean and fresh, with the bright apple mint note gently lingering. It is not a dramatically long finish, but it is pleasant and distinctive, and the mint provides a cooling quality that leaves the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.
How to Drink It
The high ABV makes Shetland Reel a versatile gin. In a G&T, use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint — the garnish amplifies the apple mint botanical and creates a drink that tastes of the Shetland summer. The 49% strength means it holds its character even with generous tonic.
In a Martini, the near-navy strength and clean juniper make it entirely creditable, and the mint provides a subtle point of difference. For a unique serve, try it in a Mojito-style long drink — the apple mint in the gin harmonises with muddled fresh mint in a way that conventional gins cannot match.
The Bottom Line
Shetland Reel earns a 7 for delivering a clean, well-made gin from an extraordinary location with a genuinely distinctive botanical signature. The apple mint is the star — a subtle but effective addition that gives the gin an identity beyond its geography. The 49% ABV provides admirable body, and the classic botanical foundation ensures it functions as proper gin rather than a flavoured novelty. At around £36, the price reflects the premium of remote production, but you are buying more than gin — you are buying a taste of Britain's most northerly distillery, and the mint-kissed freshness of an island where the growing season is measured in weeks rather than months.
