Eight Lands Organic Gin and Vodka show Speyside in new light
Speyside is known for its Scotch whisky but award-winning Eight Lands Organic Gin and Vodka prove the region also deserves recognition for its clear spirits.
They say it was the sound of running water that attracted the first distillers to set up their stills in a particular spot – water being such a vital ingredient. Those up in Speyside in the Scottish Highlands would have been spoilt for choice given the myriad mountain springs that bubble up through layers of ancient volcanic rock.
Beautifully soft and pure, low in minerals and salts, and untainted by additives like fluoride or chlorine, it is as far from urban tap water as it gets. The water not only tastes delicious; it is ideal for making spirits as those on Speyside soon discovered. Over the course of many generations, they perfected the art of distilling one spirit in particular.
“We are literally in the heart of whisky country,” says Jose Sedano, commercial director of the independent, family-run Glenrinnes Distillery. “Two miles up the road we have Glenfiddich, and two miles down the road we have Glenlivet.” But instead of releasing yet another single malt, founders Alex Christou and his step-father decided to produce the best possible gin and vodka on their organic-certified, family farm.
Eight Lands Organic Gin and Vodka, named after the eight counties you can see from the summit of Ben Rinnes, have won a stash of awards since their debut in 2019. The gin was declared ‘The World’s Best Gin’ in the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits competition, and it has just scooped a Gold medal in this year’s The Gin Masters, part of The Spirits Business’ The Global Spirits Masters Competitions.
“Alex and his step-dad were inspired by the distilling heritage of the area, but they felt they wanted to do something different,” Sedano explains. “They genuinely wanted to prove that Speyside could be something more than just whisky.”
Critical to the quality of both spirits is the delightfully soft water that comes from a spring behind the distillery beneath the granite bulk of Ben Rinnes, and it is especially natural being on organic farmland without a trace of pesticides or chemical fertiliser. Arguably, water is even more important to a gin or vodka that doesn’t spend years in wood like whisky, and it contributes hugely to the smooth texture and mouthfeel of both spirits.
Eight Lands Gin is a small batch distillation of botanicals and neutral organic spirit in a 1,000-litre pot still. The botanicals seep in through a process of maceration and vapour infusion over almost 24 hours. It is a classic London Dry style, that leads with an invigorating burst of juniper, supported by citrus flavours from lemon and lime peel, and spice from cardamom, cassia bark and coriander.
“But there are also two local ingredients foraged on the estate – wood sorrel and cowberries,” says Sedano who explains that cowberries, known as lingonberries in the US, are like a paler version of cranberries. “The comments we get from consumers and judges at the awards, are that the cowberries give a trace of sweetness on the finish, while the sorrel adds a slightly more herbaceous flavour.”
The softness of the water allows for an above-average bottling strength without the risk of any burn on the nose or throat. With the gin being 46% ABV, “it releases more aromatics and showcases more of the botanicals”, says Eight Lands’ distiller, Martin Pieroni. And, like the vodka, which is bottled at 42% ABV, the strength means more naturally occurring glycerol which “adds viscosity, body and a real mouth-coating texture”.
With Eight Lands Organic Vodka, “a lot of the feedback we get is that it’s creamy,” says Sedano. “It’s deliciously smooth because of the water, but it’s also full of character because we use pretty much the same ingredients as our illustrious whisky-making neighbours. We use malted barley and malted wheat, as well as unmalted wheat, and you really notice the buttery, coconut notes from the grain.”
The medals won by both spirits in blind tastings is “massively important,” he continues. “I can say as much as I like that my product is superior, but when you actually win a big award, then it’s proof that what we and our customers have been saying is validated. These endorsements are a very powerful introduction to new customers, and we use them to open new doors.”
To launch Eight Lands Organic Gin and Vodka into what is an undeniably crowded market was a bold move. But Sedano is convinced that Christou and his team have what it takes. First, is the backstory to the brand. “These are real people with a wonderful story with their organic ethos and family estate,” he says. “Second, and most important of all, the liquids are genuinely fabulous. They really do stand apart. And lastly, we now have beautiful packaging that really connects with the heritage of Ben Rinnes.”
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