Aberdeenshire housebuilder Bancon Homes has created its own limited edition, bespoke gin, which will be given to buyers as a moving in gift.
The company commissioned Simon Fairclough, managing director of Glenshee Craft Distillers in Perthshire, to develop an exclusive gin recipe.
The resulting Bancon Gin is a classic London Dry gin with a blend of botanicals including cassia, cinnamon, Macedonian juniper berries and cardamom to give a fresh flavour with top notes of warming spice.
A total of 300 50cl bottles have been produced for buyers who move into a Bancon Homes property across the North-east.
The company is also running a competition for collectors to win the first bottle, numbered one and signed by Simon.
The idea for a unique Bancon Gin was sparked after Bancon Homes sponsored the gin tent at this year’s Banchory Beer Festival, which was organised by local brothers Guy and Mungo Finlayson.
“The Bancon Gin came about from the great relationship we have with Banchory Beer Festival with Mungo and Guy Finlayson,” explained Simon Fairclough. “We were talking about the possibility of doing a gin for the festival and they introduced me to Bancon Homes.
“I wanted to create more of a juniper-forward gin than the three Persie gins we distil here at the Persie Distillery, with the simplicity of a classic gin but with a little more complexity. Something that would please more people and more of a recognisable gin but something with a bit of a twist. That’s why we’ve got this spicy, round mouth feel with a touch of sweetness on the finish.”
The Bancon Gin has been handmade using the London dry style process, which sees the spirit that comes off the still being diluted in water before being bottled.
Simon said: “There’s warm spice in there – real definite hints of cassia and cinnamon – that gives it a warmth. The fresh brightness is the lovely Macedonian juniper berries, and there’s a touch of carefully prepared cardamom.
“The end result is a gin which is minty fresh with top notes of spice to round it out nicely. It has plenty of juniper and is soft and warming on the palate, with a hint of ice cream right on the finish.”
The gin has been distilled and bottled at the Persie Distillery at Auchenflower, near Blairgowrie.
Simon added: “Bancon Homes is inspired by going down this route - they’re always looking to be creative and innovative and to give their customers something back. I think they’ve captured that so beautifully in commissioning a gin. It’s a new spirit, so it’s about making an investment and I was absolutely delighted to accept the brief, and I love to be asked to make gin.”
Allan Clow, managing director at Bancon Homes, said: “It has been a great experience working with Simon to create our very own gin, which will only be available to our customers and presented to buyers when they move into their new homes. Craft gin is a booming market and we are thrilled to have our very own recipe which is exclusive to Bancon Homes. Simon is so passionate about gin and has worked hard to develop a gin which is distinctive and bespoke so fits well with our own values. We hope our buyers will enjoy toasting their new homes with a gin and tonic!”
For details of all of Bancon Homes’ developments, including Monument View in Inverurie, The Den at Milltimber, Eden and The Reserve at Maidencraig and Oaklands in Banchory, visit www.banconhomes.com