Strathspey golf club serves up its very own G&Tee!
A Strathspey golf club has teed up its very own gin to mark its 125th anniversary.
Cairngorm Gin has produced the commemorative limited edition gin for Boat of Garten Golf and Tennis Club, to mark the milestone.
Designed by one of the grand-masters of golf course architecture, James Braid (1870–1950), the venue is renowned as a demanding test of sporting skill.
Club captain Douglas Spencer was one of the first to test the gin and was impressed with the end result.
He said: "Reaching the significant milestone of 125 years in existence, particularly following the chastened years of Covid, has enabled Boat of Garten Golf and Tennis Club bring a little cheer to members.
"A schedule of celebrations and golf events will follow during the year but we decided to see if we could produce something a little out of the ordinary.
"The club initially approach Jack Smith in September to explore the possibility of Cairngorm Gin distilling a one-off gin using local botanicals.
"Being a very recent ex-member, he is currently too busy with the very successful business to regularly golf.
"Jack was only too delighted to assist whilst at the same time maintaining some trade secrets particularly when it came to the whereabouts of local Juniper.
"Only delivered in January, the club is delighted to say we have already sold more than a quarter of the limited edition bottles.
"It proved tempting enough for me to break my Dry January pledge.
"Served with green apple and quality tonic, I can confirm it slips down far too easily!"
Mr Smith, owner of the Carrbridge-based gin distillery, said: “I was delighted when approached by the club with an idea in creating a collaborative special edition gin to mark their 125th year.
"I’m sure James Braid would have happily raised a gin to mark this momentous occasion if he was still here today.”
The gin features local juniper and pine needles partnered with rose hips, heather flower and sweet orange peel.
The limited release is available in both 70cl and 5cl bottles and can be bought at the golf club.
Braid’s design features 18 completely individual holes, cleverly and sensitively shaped fairways lined by birch trees, heather and broom, maximising the natural landscape and producing a beautiful and challenging course.
A brief history of Boat of Garten Golf Club
1898 – Original layout of six holes.
1910 – Two extra holes added.
1921 – Tennis courts opened.
1930 – Extra land became available for rent – James Braid designs the 18 hole golf course.
1931 – Committee agreed to go ahead with the extra rent and to use James Braid’s design.
1932 – New 18 hole course is in play.
1991 – Club buys the land on which the golf course sits.
1994 – New green at the fourth to give a par 5.
1998 – Club celebrates its centenary.
2004 – Changes to the 13th to give another par 5.
2009 – Green re-contoured and tees re-sited at the first hole.
2012 – Major changes to clubhouse including new locker rooms and pro shop.
2019 – Major lounge and bar modernisation.
