Staff WriterIf there were ever a gin that could drive a ball straight down the fairway and then politely offer you a tonic with a wedge of lime, it’d be Ben Lomond Gin.
The proud Official Gin of The Open is back, launching its Open Special Edition 2025 to celebrate the 153rd championship at none other than Royal Portrush. And let’s just say, it’s got more character than a Sunday pairing with Seve and Daly after two pints.
First appointed to the prestigious post of official gin partner back in 2023, Ben Lomond has turned releasing special editions into an art form worthy of Claret Jug fanfare.
They debuted with a nod to Royal Liverpool, followed up at Troon, and now they’ve bottled the salty, spiky soul of Portrush itself. Quite literally.
This year’s creation is infused with three botanicals foraged directly from the Royal Portrush Golf Course – wild carrot seed, sea buckthorn, and hawthorn leaf. Yes, you read that right. You can practically taste the back nine in every sip.
The distillers have built this coastal character atop their signature six-botanical base, giving us a gin that smells like a pine forest at full backswing and lands on the palate like a clean 6-iron into a stiff breeze.
Expect earthy spice, zesty citrus, floral lift, and enough wildness to make you double-check your tee time.
“We’ve taken the spirit of Portrush – wild, coastal, and steeped in character – and captured it in a bottle,” said Aly Bayne, Head of Marketing at Loch Lomond Group. “This Open Special Edition is not just a celebration of The Open, but a tribute to the natural beauty and heritage of one of the world’s most iconic courses.”
It’s a gin that can handle the rough but prefers the view from the green.
But this release isn’t just about the botanicals. Ben Lomond Gin draws its very name from ‘Beacon Mountain’, a Celtic landmark that once guided travellers where land met sky.
That spirit of discovery, adventure, and slightly reckless optimism is bottled up beautifully in every pour.
Frankly, if your G&T doesn’t stir something ancestral in you after a round at Portrush, you’re probably drinking the wrong gin.
Launched in 2019, Ben Lomond Gin has become a bit of a renegade among the tartan-clad gin crowd, known for bold flavour profiles and the kind of packaging that doesn’t look out of place in a single malt cabinet.
Last year, it picked up a glittering Double Gold and 98 Points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – which, if you’re keeping score, is the Augusta National of booze awards.
And there’s more on the horizon. The brand’s new home and distillery will open its doors this summer in Luss, nestled on the banks of Loch Lomond. Think of it as a clubhouse for gin lovers, minus the dress code.
At The Open, Ben Lomond will be pouring in style from its own dedicated Gin Garden, sharing turf with its highland sibling, Loch Lomond Whisky.
Swing by, sip the goods, and pick up the limited-edition Open Special Edition Gift Set – available online, in select specialist retailers, and right at the Portrush stand from July 17–20.
As for pricing, the 70cl bottle (ABV 43%) is yours for £35, while the gift set – complete with two branded glasses and a tidy carton – runs £45. Either way, it’s a small price to pay for bottling the spirit of The Open. Literally.
Available now, the Ben Lomond Gin Open Special Edition 2025 can be ordered direct from the distillery’s online 👉 clubhouse
