Drinks group Loch Lomond unveiled yesterday their first ever non-alcoholic offering.

Inspired by the group's full-strength Ben Lomond Scottish Gin, the botanical spirit has an ABV of less than 0.5%, and is said to have a similar citrus and juniper-focused flavour profile.

The new spirit is made with locally foraged rowan berries from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and are described as adding a ‘crisp bitterness’. The drink also contains Scottish blackcurrants, which is said to work toward a more balanced palate.

We're told there is orange and pine on the nose, while the palate possesses sweet berries and rowan berries on the palate. There is a mix of citrus, berries to and peppery spice on the finish too.

The spirit will debut at the 152nd Open Golf Championship in the UK, taking place at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire between 18 to 21 July. This is alongside another regular gin release. The Open 2024 Special Edition (43% ABV, £45/US$58) – was made with native botanicals hand-picked directly from Royal Troon, including tansy herb, elderberries and blackberry leaves.

Bars across the championship grounds will stock the new spirits for attendees, while less golf-inclined individuals can purchase the spirit from the Ben Lomond Gin website for £22 (US$28).

It isn't the first time Loch Lomond has debuted new releases at the championship, of which they have a partnership with until 2028. Last year Loch Lomond Group also created two limited edition whiskies and a gin for the event. 

This release comes at a time where low/no alcohol spirits are becoming more sought after. International Wine and Spirits Record (ISWR) data predicts the sector will rise by a compound annual growth rate of six per cent from 2023 to 2027 in 10 key markets. This growth will reportedly be dominated by completely non-alcoholic products.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team 

Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.