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.
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Makar Glasgow Gin's distillery.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your distillery visit
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