FIRST JOURNEYS - THE HIGHLANDS TRAIL- PIN 14 OF 22
TOP CBD GIN, Arbroath, Scotland
A JOURNEY EXPLORING THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Our next stop takes us to the east coast of Angus, to the historic harbour town of Arbroath and a behind-the-scenes part of the Scottish gin story.
I’ve shared Top CBD Gin several times before, so rather than revisit the brand story, this stop is about something that is often hidden from the final bottle—the people and places that help bring spirits to life.
Top CBD Gin was created at Distillutions, a small family-run contract distillery in Arbroath, where head distiller Lewis Scothern worked with brands looking to develop something different. It was this creativity and flexibility that attracted emerging producers, including Top CBD Spirits, who chose Lewis to help create their CBD-inspired spirit range.
Arbroath itself is a fascinating place to make spirits. Sitting on Scotland’s east coast, the town is steeped in history, from the ruins of Arbroath Abbey and the famous Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, to the traditional Arbroath smokie—a reminder of the strong connection between this coastline, its produce and the people who have shaped it.
Lewis’s own journey into distilling began at Heriot-Watt University, where he graduated in Brewing and Distilling in 2011. During his studies he worked in Edinburgh’s craft brewing scene, eventually becoming head brewer, before returning to Angus and continuing his career in distilling.
The dream, however, was always to create spirits without boundaries.
At Distillutions, Lewis used a collection of versatile small-scale stills, including 10, 50 and 200 litre systems, allowing recipes to be developed, refined and scaled depending on the needs of each project. The adaptable equipment meant botanicals could be distilled in different ways, either directly in the still or through vapour infusion, giving brands the freedom to experiment and create something truly individual.
Many craft spirits have benefited from Lewis’s knowledge and creativity, with names including Fierce Spirits, Mackintosh, Crag & Tail, Redcastle, Smithies and Lenzie among those connected with his work.
For today’s serve, I created a Spicy Sour—a twist on a classic Gimlet that adds warmth and complexity while bringing together another Scottish producer.
Spicy Sour
- 50ml Top CBD Bloody Mary Gin
- 20ml Crabbie’s Ginger Liqueur
- 15ml St-Germain
- 15ml Lime Juice
- 15ml Ginger Syrup (with optional chilli infusion for extra heat)
Garnished with fresh ginger and lime wedges.
A cocktail with a little fire, this serve reflects the experimental spirit of the distillery behind the bottle—a reminder that every gin has a story not only in its ingredients, but also in the people who help create it.
Atlas Note:
Since this original journey was created in 2020, the craft gin landscape has continued to evolve. Top CBD Gin is no longer available in its original form, and Distillutions is no longer operating as the contract distillery behind this expression. This entry remains part of the Gin Passport archive as a snapshot of a fascinating moment in Scottish craft spirits—when small distilleries, innovative ingredients and collaborations were opening new possibilities for what gin could become.