Seaside innovation with Edinburgh Gin

When Edinburgh Gin set out to create a distinctive new spirit inspired by Scotland’s coastal landscape, they sought out expertise from Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD).

Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, four MSc Brewing and Distilling students worked closely with the brand to design and develop what would become Seaside Gin, a uniquely Scottish gin infused with locally sourced coastal botanicals.

This collaboration gave the students invaluable hands-on product development experience while delivering a market-ready product that expanded Edinburgh Gin’s portfolio and embodied a truly local flavour.

Challenge

As a leading craft distiller, Edinburgh Gin was looking to innovate with a gin that celebrated Scotland’s shoreline, a product that could stand out in an increasingly competitive market. To achieve this, the company wanted to explore the use of unusual coastal botanicals, integrating local character into the spirit while maintaining exceptional quality and drinkability.

This project required not just creative ideation, but technical distilling knowledge, structured experimentation, and product development expertise.

Solution

Edinburgh Gin partnered with Heriot-Watt’s ICBD, home to one of the most advanced academic distilling facilities in the UK. Over the course of the project, a team of four MSc students worked with the company to research potential botanicals, develop and refine recipes, and design a product that would eventually become Seaside Gin.

The collaboration gave students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a commercial setting, from recipe formulation and pilot distillation to sensory evaluation and product presentation. Edinburgh Gin, in turn, gained access to fresh thinking, technical insight, and a team dedicated to creating a product with a clear point of difference.

Why Heriot-Watt?

Heriot-Watt’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling offers unrivalled expertise and facilities for businesses seeking to innovate in the drinks sector. With a combination of academic rigour, practical training, and industry-facing partnerships, the ICBD is uniquely placed to support new product development across beer, spirits, and beyond.

Want to work with us?

This project shows how companies can benefit from Heriot-Watt’s expertise in brewing and distilling while supporting the next generation of distillers. Whether through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, innovation vouchers or joint research projects, we help businesses take ideas from concept to bottle.

Learn more about collaborating with us: www.hw.ac.uk/research-enterprise