Enjoy an imaginative coastal-inspired tasting experience at Dunnet Bay Distillery

While we’re remaining at home, for the time being, many of us are excitedly looking ahead to the summer months where we hope to be able to do some of the fun things we used to take for granted! If you’re planning a Scottish staycation and want to add some gin-tastings to your diary, the team at Dunnet Bay Distillers (the home of Rock Rose Gin) are looking forward to welcoming you to their new and exciting Tasting Room to enjoy a “North Coast Stories with Tasting” experience!

In light of social distancing requirements and with the safety and enjoyment of their visitors in mind, they have thoughtfully re-imagined the Tasting Room at Dunnet Bay Distillery, near Caithness in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The room now has a fabulously apt coastal theme and ‘Boat Shed’ booths where you can listen to Captain Joanne (the tour guide) as she tells tales to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.

The team, who previously won awards for their amazing visitor experience still wanted to offer visitors post-lockdown a real experience, so they went all out with the décor and idea.  They completely stripped out the existing furniture (sofas, chairs and large tasting table) to create a blank canvas. Along with family and friends, the team created new Boat Sheds for seating areas with lots of coastal-inspired décor including creels, rocks and shells collected from the beach, fishing nets and used hessian to give a sand effect under the sheds.

Joanne, the captivating tour guide, fully got on board as Captain Joanne and re-wrote her tour to focus more on the coastal stories associated with the Dunnet Bay range spirits.  The new concept was very well received last year when the experience briefly re-opened to visitors with guests feeling safe, welcomed and well looked after.

On arrival, visitors are directed to their own boat shed (max 2 people per shed) after sanitising their hands.  All their spirits are pre-poured and set on a wee table in front of them, while CaptainJoanne then guides them through a tasting with lots of tales and laughs. 

We think this looks like an amazing tasting experience from an expert team in a beautiful corner of the country – what more could you want to treat yourself to after the year we’ve had? Places are bound to book up fast for the summer ahead, so get onto their website and get your trip booked today!