Orkney Gin Company

Orkney Gin Company was founded by Gary and Andrea Watt on the island of Burray in Orkney. The project began developing around 2014–2015 after the couple had spent years making spirits for friends and family, and commercial production began in 2016 with Johnsmas and Mikkelmas, the first gins produced in Orkney. The business initially operated on a very small scale from the Watt family home before moving production into a purpose-built microdistillery nearby.

The company draws extensively on Orcadian ingredients, history and folklore. Botanicals are grown or foraged locally where possible, while product names and bottle designs reference old Orcadian traditions, Norse influence and stories such as the selkie legends. Gary Watt is the owner/director and head distiller, and the family team has also included Andrea and their daughter Erin.

Production combines the cold-compounding methods used for some of the company’s original gins with conventional distillation for later spirits. A purpose-built 250-litre still is used for products including Aatta Gin and Orkney Akvavit, both of which undergo eight distillations. The range has expanded beyond gin to include Orkney Akvavit and Orkney Vodka.

The legal company is Orkney Spirits Limited, while Orkney Gin Company remains the principal trading name used with consumers.