Award-Winning Scottish Distillery Rescued From Closure as Stargazey Spirits Acquires Verdant Gin
Verdant Gin, which won “Gin of the Year” at the 2017 Gin Awards, is acquired by Stargazey Spirits following its closure in 2023 due to challenges arising from Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Stargazey Spirits)
Dundee, Scotland’s pioneering gin producer, Verdant Spirits, is experiencing a remarkable revival after being acquired by Stargazey Spirits, marking a significant chapter in the city’s distillation history. Recently resurrected after the closure of its distillery in 2023, Verdant has found a new lease on life under the guidance of Stargazey director Joe Barber.
“The history and heritage of a spirit born in Dundee, that was a Scottish Gin of the Year at the Gin Awards, and the sole supplier of a House of Commons Gin, really interested me,” Barber explained, as reported by Insider UK.
“Once I had a bottle in my hands and got to taste Verdant, I realised just how much potential there was – the quality of the product is incredible, and I knew I had to support the brand and help develop it further.”
Barber, originally a hobbyist in the drinks industry, transitioned into a prominent role after being invited to judge at the Gin of the Year competition. Subsequently, he ascended to the position of assistant lead steward for the American Distilling Institute’s craft spirits judging in 2018, and he has continued to contribute to their endeavors ever since.
Verdant Spirit Co., the first commercial distillery in Dundee in 200 years, was established by founder Andrew Mackenzie in 2017. Housed in a Victorian engine house that once powered the Edward Street Mill, a key player in Dundee’s historic jute and weaving industry, the distillery pays homage to the city’s industrial past. Despite being the House of Commons’ sole gin supplier and winning the 2017 Gin of the Year award, the distillery struggled after a potential £250,000 investment for expansion was disrupted amid Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, with Stargazey’s help, Dundee’s gin-distilling legacy lives on.
“There are so many opportunities for Verdant Gin,“ Barber continued in the report. “We’re excited to take the brand forward, while holding on to the true essence of this incredible spirit.”
Verdant Dry Gin, crafted in small batches, features a juniper-led profile with citrus notes and warm, earthy spice undertones. Bottled at 43% ABV, the London Dry style gin incorporates juniper, coriander seed, bitter orange and grains of paradise.
Stargazey Spirits, based in Portsmouth, not only specializes in the restoration of spirits like Verdant but also extends its expertise to collaborating with other distilleries, including the Wrecking Coast Distillery in Cornwall. Initially established as a spirit producer, per the report, Stargazey has evolved into a comprehensive support system for distillers, offering assistance in production, bottling and storage to facilitate scalable operations.
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