McLean's Gin
Last updated 16 May 2026
A Glasgow-made London Dry gin that leans into juniper and spice rather than the floral/herbal direction most Scottish gins have taken. The cinnamon is the distinguishing feature — it's present without being overwhelming, adding warmth to the finish. Produced in small batches in Glasgow's south side. Available in most Glasgow bars and specialist shops, and increasingly in Edinburgh and online.
McLean's is the Ayrshire London Dry purist's gin — deliberately traditional, juniper-forward, and uncompromising. Less interesting than the contemporary set if you want cucumber-and-rose, but properly excellent if you want gin that tastes like gin. The deliberately tight six-botanical recipe is the point. Best as a martini gin.
Tasting notes
A proper Glasgow gin — bold, juniper-forward London Dry with a cinnamon warmth that works surprisingly well in a G&T. Not subtle, not trying to be.
- Nose
- Big juniper, hint of cassia, faint citrus
- Palate
- Juniper-led, dry, with gentle warming spice
- Finish
- Dry, peppery, properly long
Flavour profile
- juniper5/5
- citrus2/5
- floral1/5
- herbal1/5
- spice2/5
- sweet1/5
Botanicals
Six classic London Dry botanicals — McLean's deliberately keeps the recipe traditional and juniper-forward
How it’s made
- Production
- Originally distilled at Burnbank Farm, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire (not Largs, North Ayrshire, as this entry previously stated). Since 2023 the brand's flagship, Something Blue, has been produced by Jackton Distillery (RAER) in Jackton, East Kilbride, with founder Colin McLean involved; the original 6-botanical McLean's core range described below could not be independently confirmed as still in production as of 2026-07-23 — treat that part of this entry with caution and check current availability before buying.
- Still type
- Small copper pot still
- Base spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
Perfect serve
Indian tonic, lemon peel twist, heavy tumbler.
- Garnish
- Lemon peel twist
- Ratio
- 1:3
- Ice
- Plenty of ice.
McLean's is a proper London Dry — give it a classical setup. No fruit, no herbs, no fuss. Lemon peel and Indian tonic.
Cocktails to make with McLean's Gin
McLean's Dry Martini
Coupe
- 60ml McLean's
- 5ml dry vermouth
- Lemon peel
Stir gin and vermouth with ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Express lemon oils over the surface.
Food pairings
A classical London Dry suits classical bar food. Save modern food for modern gins.
- Olives and almonds
- Cured charcuterie
- Sharp cheese
- Fish and chips
Where to buy
Frequently asked questions
+Where is McLean's Gin made?
In Largs, North Ayrshire — a small-batch operation focused on traditional London Dry style.
+What style of gin is McLean's?
A classical London Dry — six botanicals, juniper-forward, dry. Deliberately not a contemporary cucumber-and-rose style gin.
+How does McLean's compare to Tanqueray?
Both are juniper-led London Drys. Tanqueray (made in Fife at scale) is the bartender's default. McLean's is the small-batch Scottish alternative — same style, smaller scale, similar character.
+Is McLean's good for cocktails?
Yes — its juniper backbone is exactly what dry martinis and Negronis need. Less suited to spritzes and modern cocktails where softer gins shine.
Compare with similar gins
Makar Glasgow Gin
london-dry · lowland
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.
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.
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.
Plan your distillery visit
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