NB Gin
Last updated 16 May 2026
Made at NB Distillery in North Berwick, on the East Lothian coast. NB London Dry is a precise, citrus-forward London Dry made the slow way — small batches, single shots, no shortcuts. The Navy Strength bottling at 57% is the bottle bartenders order.
NB is the East Lothian gin that quietly racks up serious awards. The standard bottling is one of the best citrus-led London Drys in the country; the Navy Strength is a bartender favourite for a reason. Pricing is fair for the level of craft — slow single-shot distillation isn’t cheap to do.
Tasting notes
An unusually citrus-forward London Dry. Big lemon and orange peel sit on top of a confident juniper backbone, with coriander warmth in the mid-palate. Cleaner and brighter than most London Drys at the price — built for a sharp G&T or a citrus-forward cocktail.
- Nose
- Bright lemon, fresh juniper, hint of orange
- Palate
- Citrus first, then juniper, then coriander warmth — clean throughout
- Finish
- Long, dry, citrus-led
Flavour profile
- juniper4/5
- citrus5/5
- floral1/5
- herbal2/5
- spice2/5
- sweet1/5
Botanicals
Eight classic London Dry botanicals run through a slow single-shot distillation — citrus-forward and structurally clean
How it’s made
- Production
- NB uses a slow single-shot distillation — no concentrate, no later dilution from a batch — which gives the gin its clean, structurally honest character. Small copper still, small batches, no shortcuts.
- Still type
- Single small copper pot still
- Base spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
Perfect serve
Indian tonic, long lemon twist, heavy tumbler.
- Tonic
- Indian tonic
- Garnish
- A long twist of lemon peel
- Ratio
- 1:3
- Ice
- Plenty of ice — citrus needs to stay cold to stay bright.
A standard Indian tonic with a generous lemon twist is all this gin needs. The citrus character does the heavy lifting.
Cocktails to make with NB Gin
NB Navy 75
Coupe
- 25ml NB Navy Strength
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- 50ml dry sparkling wine
- Lemon twist
Shake gin, lemon, and syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with lemon twist.
Food pairings
A natural with citrus-led food — particularly seafood with a sharp dressing.
- Lemon sole
- Crab linguine
- Goat’s cheese tart
- Citrus tart
Where to buy
Supermarket availability
| Supermarket | Stocked | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| waitrose | Yes | £38 |
Other expressions from NB Gin
NB Navy Strength
Bigger, oilier, more juniper-forward — a proper navy gin built for serious cocktails. The bottle bartenders actually order.
Visit the distillery
NB runs tours of its North Berwick distillery from £25, including the slow single-shot process and a tutored tasting of the range. A short hop east of Edinburgh by train.
From £25
Book a tourFrequently asked questions
+What does NB stand for?
North Berwick — the East Lothian coastal town where the distillery is based.
+Where is NB Gin distilled?
At NB Distillery in North Berwick, East Lothian — about 30 minutes east of Edinburgh by train.
+Is NB Navy Strength worth the upgrade?
Yes if you make a lot of cocktails — the 57% ABV gives Negronis, martinis and French 75s the structural punch they need. For G&Ts, the standard 42% bottling is the better bet.
+Can you visit NB Distillery?
Yes — tours from £25 from the North Berwick site. Easy day trip from Edinburgh by train (less than 30 minutes).
Compare with similar gins
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.
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.
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.
Where to stay near NB Distillery
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of NB Gin's distillery.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your distillery visit
Related articles
10 min read
Scottish Gin in the Supermarkets: Which Shop Stocks What (2026)
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 Review: 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 Review: 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. Honest review.