Makar Glasgow Gin
Last updated 16 May 2026
Made by the Glasgow Distillery Co., the city's first whisky and gin distillery for over 100 years. Makar is a juniper-forward London Dry — drier and more traditional than most Scottish contemporaries, with the Glasgow distillery's seven-pot-still expertise behind it.
Makar is the gin to buy if you actually like gin — not the cucumber-and-rose version of it. A confident, juniper-forward London Dry at a fair price, made in Glasgow's first proper distillery in a century. The Mulberry Aged is interesting; the standard bottle is the everyday recommendation.
Tasting notes
Properly juniper-led — the kind of gin that reminds you what gin actually tastes like under the cucumber and rose. Black pepper gives it a warm bite. Best drunk in a classic G&T or a bone-dry martini, where the contemporary gins start to disappear.
- Nose
- Bright juniper, lemon peel, hint of pepper
- Palate
- Big juniper, peppery warmth, gentle citrus lift
- Finish
- Dry, peppery, medium length
Flavour profile
- juniper5/5
- citrus3/5
- floral1/5
- herbal2/5
- spice3/5
- sweet1/5
Botanicals
Just seven botanicals, juniper-led, with a peppery edge — this is a deliberately classical London Dry, not a contemporary
How it’s made
- Production
- Distilled at the Glasgow Distillery Co. in a single small copper still ("Annie"). The same site also produces 1770 single malt whisky.
- Still type
- Small copper pot still ("Annie")
- Base spirit
- Wheat spirit
Perfect serve
Indian tonic, lemon peel and a single black peppercorn, tall glass.
- Garnish
- A twist of lemon peel and a single black peppercorn
- Ratio
- 1:3
- Ice
- Plenty of cubed ice — keeps the temperature low and the gin honest.
Skip the cucumber. Makar wants a classical setup — lemon, ice, a quality Indian tonic. The peppercorn garnish picks up the gin's natural pepper note and is worth the small effort.
Cocktails to make with Makar Glasgow Gin
Makar Dry Martini
Coupe
- 60ml Makar
- 5ml dry vermouth
- Lemon peel
Stir gin and vermouth with ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Express lemon oil over the surface and drop the peel in.
Food pairings
Pairs with classic apéritif food — anything you’d eat with a dry martini.
- Smoked salmon bagels
- Sharp cheddar
- Cured charcuterie
- Olives and almonds
Where to buy
Supermarket availability
| Supermarket | Stocked | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| tesco | Yes | £28 |
| waitrose | Yes | £30 |
Other expressions from Makar Glasgow Gin
Makar Mulberry Aged
Cask-aged in mulberry wood — fuller, slightly sweet, with a subtle wood character. Sip it neat.
Makar Old Tom
A modern Old Tom — gently sweetened, more fruit-forward than the classic Makar. Built for a Tom Collins.
Visit the distillery
Tours of the Glasgow Distillery Co. cover both the gin and the 1770 single malt — a rare two-for-one for visitors. Walking distance from Glasgow Central by way of the Clyde.
From £25
Book a tourFrequently asked questions
+Where is Makar gin made?
At the Glasgow Distillery Co., the city's first new whisky and gin distillery for over a century. Tours include both the gin and the 1770 single malt whisky.
+Is Makar a London Dry or a contemporary gin?
A classic London Dry — juniper-led, dry, with a peppery edge. Deliberately the opposite of a contemporary cucumber-and-rose style gin.
+What's the difference between Makar and Glaswegin?
Both are made in Glasgow but they aim at different drinkers. Makar is a juniper-forward London Dry — for cocktails and dry martinis. Glaswegin is softer, more citrus-led, more contemporary — for casual G&Ts.
+Is Makar good for cocktails?
Yes — its juniper backbone and 43% ABV stand up to vermouth, Campari, and other spirits where softer gins disappear. A good house gin for a home bar.
Compare with similar gins
Pickering's Gin
london-dry · Lowland
Distilled at Summerhall in Edinburgh — the city's first exclusive gin distillery in over 150 years. The recipe is from a handwritten Bombay note dated 1947, scaled up by hand into a London Dry style with notable warmth.
Glaswegin
contemporary · Lowland
A young Glasgow gin made in Springburn that has gained shelf space fast. Soft, citrus-led, and more affordable than most premium contemporaries — Glaswegin is the gin you reach for at a barbecue rather than a martini.
Tanqueray
london-dry · Lowland
The bartenders' choice. Distilled at Cameronbridge in Fife, Tanqueray is a four-times-distilled, juniper-led London Dry — bigger and cleaner than Gordon's, structurally built for serious cocktails. The recipe hasn't changed since 1830.
Where to stay near Glasgow Distillery Co.
The map is centred on Makar Glasgow Gin's distillery — set your dates on it, or go straight to hotels, B&Bs and self-catering through the providers underneath.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your distillery visit
Near Makar Glasgow Gin
Things to do nearby, from our sister site TripSCOT, which covers the day-out side. Distances are in a straight line from Makar Glasgow Gin, not by road.
- Gallery of Modern ArtMuseumunder 1 km
- The Tenement HouseMuseumunder 1 km
- Kelvingrove ParkPark2 km
- Glasgow GreenPark2 km
- Botanic Gardens GlasgowGarden3 km
- Greenbank GardenGarden7 km
Nearest station: Glasgow Central (under 1 km)
Related articles
10 min read
Scottish Gin in the Supermarkets: Which Shop Stocks What
Which Scottish gin each UK supermarket actually stocks — Harris at Tesco and Waitrose, Caorunn at Asda, Glaswegin at Tesco and Asda. One good bottle per shop, and the stock matrix for the big brands.
8 min read
Glaswegin Guide: Glasgow's Supermarket Gin (Asda, Tesco & Sainsbury's)
Glaswegin is the Glasgow gin you'll find in Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's for around £25–30. What's actually in it, who makes it, how it tastes, and whether it beats Edinburgh Gin and Makar.
7 min read
Caorunn Gin Guide: The Best-Value Premium Scottish Gin?
Caorunn is Scotland's apple-led gin — distinctive, dry, properly Scottish. At £25–30 it consistently undercuts famous contemporary gins.