FIRST JOURNEYS - THE HIGHLANDS TRAIL- PIN 20 OF 22
KERR'S GIN, The Border Distillery, Hawick
A JOURNEY EXPLORING THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Today's journey takes us to the Scottish Borders, where rolling hills, fertile farmland and centuries of agricultural tradition have shaped both the landscape and the spirits produced here.
At the heart of Hawick sits The Borders Distillery, the first Scotch whisky distillery to be built in the Borders for almost 200 years, and home to William Kerr's Gin.
The gin is named after one of Scotland's forgotten explorers. Born in Hawick in 1779, William Kerr was a pioneering plant hunter who travelled across China, the Philippines, Java and Sri Lanka collecting hundreds of new species for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
His expeditions introduced many ornamental plants to Britain, including the beautiful Kerria japonica, which still bears his name today.
It seems only fitting that a gin inspired by one of Scotland's great botanical adventurers should celebrate exploration through flavour.
Like Kerr himself, the gin is rooted in botany. Distilled from locally grown Borders barley and produced using a traditional Carterhead still, the botanicals are gently vapour infused to create a spirit that is fresh, elegant and unmistakably juniper led. It's a modern gin that quietly pays homage to Scotland's rich history of discovery and botanical science.
Today's serve has its origins in a fun cocktail challenge set by the distillery, inviting me to create something using William Kerr's Gin alongside the contents of a seasonal fruit and vegetable box. After a little experimentation, this savoury twist on a Negroni became my favourite.
Devil's on Horseback Negroni
The secret lies in fat-washing the Cynar. I wrapped dates in streaky bacon to make Devils on Horseback, gently pan-fried them, then infused the warm Cynar with one of the dates and a little of the rendered bacon fat. After a few hours, the mixture was strained and frozen, allowing the solidified fat to be removed easily, leaving behind a beautifully smoky, bittersweet aperitif.
Kerr's Negroni
- 50ml William Kerr's Gin
- 50ml Rosé Vermouth
- 50ml Fat-washed Cynar
Stir well over ice and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a Devil on Horseback—or better still, serve a bowl alongside for snacking.
The smoky sweetness of the infused Cynar pairs wonderfully with the bold juniper and smooth barley spirit, creating a rich, savoury take on one of my favourite classic cocktails.
Like the explorer whose name it bears, William Kerr's Gin reminds us that every great journey begins with curiosity. Sometimes that journey takes us across continents. Sometimes it starts with a single botanical—or a single glass.