Rock Rose Gin is officially a ‘cool brand’. The super-premium British gin has been selected by the influential CoolBrands® in the 2021/22 roster of the coolest brands around.
Brands are shortlisted by invitation only and selected by a prestigious panel of forty-nine judges, comprising designers, style experts, media personalities, and prominent names from entertainment, fashion, and music.
Rock Rose Gin is made by Dunnet Bay Distillery, the stylish, sustainable spirits company which is based on the edge of the most northerly coastline of mainland Scotland. The family-owned business runs its own Distillery hand-crafting a range of widely admired Rock Rose Gins and a sister brand, Holy Grass Vodka. Rock Rose Gin celebrated the brand’s 7th anniversary in August 2021.
Martin Murray, who established and runs the company with his wife and business partner, Claire Murray, said: “We have won many coveted awards in the 7 years since we launched. The accolade of being invited into the CoolBrands fold along with other Olympians in their own categories is truly an honour and we thank the Panel for choosing our brand”.
This elegant and subtle portfolio of Scottish gins celebrates the heritage and provenance of Caithness, using many locally foraged and home-grown botanicals to create exceptional spirits. These local botanicals include rowan berries, sea buckthorn, and Rhodiola rosea (a rose in the rocks), after which the Rock Rose brand is named. This ingredient, growing freely on the unspoiled coastal margin, adds a delicate floral note to the gin.
In addition to Rock Rose Original, there are several gin expressions including seasonal editions: Navy Strength Rock Rose Gin (ABV 57%), Pink Grapefruit Old Tom Gin, and Citrus Coastal Edition Gin.
Customers are encouraged to ‘go green’ by purchasing attractively priced refill pouches with further incentives provided through the Refill Rewards Club which Members can choose to join on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis to receive gift hampers with each delivery.
It’s not just the taste that is exceptional. This is a truly sustainable business: it is the first company in its sector to offer spirits in eco-friendly, fully recyclable pouches which are used to refill the iconic ceramic bottles. Martin Murray adds: “The company is sustainable through and through and, unusually for a small business, this year we appointed a dedicated Environment Manager to further improve our already eco-friendly approach to business. From ploughing used botanicals back into the land, to sustainably foraging for or growing our own plants where possible, to using solar panels and carefully managing water, supporting a range of charities, and taking good care of our dedicated team of colleagues, we are proud of our record to date. CoolBrands is more than just ‘another award’. It recognises our brand’s strengths in their entirety”.
Dunnet Bay Distillers sells its products in twenty-four countries. In the UK is available through M&S Scotland and Sainsbury’s Scotland as well as through its own ecommerce outlet at www.dunnetbaydistillers and other online retailers, as well as via top bars, restaurants, hotels, and pubs.
The £1.5million turnover company was named Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards 2019 and Rock Rose Gin has won numerous other national and international awards including a medal in the recent Spirits Business Gin Masters. This year, they won the Chairman’s Award in the SCDI Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards. Martin Murray was recently named ‘Innovator of the Year’ by the Institute of Directors Scotland.
Many of the 15-strong team have worked with the company since inception. The on-site Distillery Tasting Room, featuring Covid-safe ‘boat house’ booths, is a much-loved feature of the North Coast 500 route for visitors.