The Orkney Distillery
In 2015, Stephen & Aly Kemp from Orkney sought a way of combining their passion for gin with their pride in their Orcadian heritage. The next year they launched ​Kirkjuvagr Gin, pronounced 'kirk-u-vaar' and meaning 'Church in the Bay' in old Norse, before launching The Orkney Distillery & Visitor Centre in 2018 on the historic harbour-front of Orkney's capital, Kirkwall. Having since expanded their gin range to include a Navy Strength Gin, Spiced Gin, and Raspberry & Honey Gin, The Orkney Distillery is now embarking on producing the first new Orkney Single Malt Whisky in 140 years, as well as launching their own rum. The distillery is home to their 1000L and 200L Hoga copper pot stills and is open for gin and whisky tours throughout the summer 

Kirkjuvagr Origin Gin (43% ABV)

  • Botanicals: Including juniper, angelica root, lemon, borage flower, Ramanas Rose, Burnet Rose, calamondin fruit, aronia, bere barley. Base Spirit: Grain.
  • ​Tasting Notes: Fresh aromas of piney juniper, sweet lemon and sea air. Warm, floral and subtly sweet on the palate with pine, spice and sherbet citrus. A long and smooth finish with floral notes and gentle spice.
  • ​Serving Suggestion: Gin & Tonic with a garnish of Orange Peel or Lemon, or in a Martini or Tom Collins.
  • Buy: (£35 - £40) direct from The Orkney Distillery or via Master of Malt​
The Gin Guide Review: Kirkjuvagr Origin Gin has a real sense of place and beautifully represents Orkney from the founders, brand and name through to the botanicals and the end-product gin itself. The gin is well-balanced and there's depth of flavour, from floral and herbaceous notes to subtle, sherbert-like citrus sweetness offset with a peppery twist in the lingering, dry finish. It is a gin that really delivers on flavour, complexity and personality. - Paul Jackson 2016

Also Available from The Orkney Distillery

Kirkjuvagr Arkh-Angell - Storm Strength Gin (57% ABV)
A high ABV edition of Kirkjuvar Origin Gin inspired by the seafaring heritage of Orkney.
  • The Gin Guide Review: Arkh-Angell Gin ups the ABV, flavour intensity and complexity of The Orkney Distillery's flagship Kirkjuvagr Gin. The bold profile and depth of flavour is a real triumph, with borage and meadowsweet delivering floral notes and the punchy calamondin fruit adding rich sweetness alongside juniper, pepper and spice. - Paul Jackson, 2019
  • Buy: direct from The Orkney Distillery or via Master of Malt​
Kirkjuvagr Aurora - Winter Spiced Gin (42% ABV)
A warming spiced gin featuring ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pink peppercorns and black peppercorns.
Kirkjuvagr Beyla - Honey & Raspberry Old Tom (40% ABV)
Named after the Norse Goddess of Bees and featuring Orcadian honey and Scottish Raspberries.
  • The Gin Guide Review: Beyla is a greatly enticing gin with its bright, fruity and bold aroma and character. Alongside the fruity raspberry notes, the use of honey is distinctive and gives a natural sweetness, while floral notes add further depth before a drier character emerges in the finish. It is a flavoursome and charming creation that it mixes well for a summery G&T. - Paul Jackson, 2019
  • Buy: direct from The Orkney Distillery or via Master of Malt​

Meet the Makers

"My wife and I are both 'born and bred' Orcadians and we live in Kirkwall where we grew up, and so we wanted to create a brand that was connected to us and our place." ​- Stephen Kemp, Co-Founder
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For more Scottish Gins and distilleries in Scotland, visit our Scottish Gin section.
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