As a food and drinks enthusiast, there is an undeniable thrill that comes with the arrival of a new drinks product on the market. The anticipation, the curiosity, and the excitement all wrapped into one experience. It's a moment of discovery that ignites the senses and sparks the imagination. From innovative flavours to unique ingredients, each new product brings with it the promise of something different, something special. The chance to taste, to savour, and to immerse oneself in a whole new world of possibilities. Whether it's a refreshing soda, a bold craft beer, or a sophisticated cocktail mixer, the debut of a new drinks product is like unwrapping a gift - you never quite know what surprises await inside.

 And so I bring you a new gin shot, Wattshot!

 Wattshot, the premium shot company, has landed in Edinburgh with the first ever gin designed to be drunk as a shot - now available to try at Jackson The Tailor, The Newsroom, The Piper’s Rest, The Railbridge, and Burgers & Beers Grillhouse. WATTSHOT’s gin shot was developed over 9 years by master taste-maker Stuart Logan, brought to market by Scottish entrepreneur Doug Everest, and delivers a completely new experience for all gin-lovers. This multi-award winning taste sensation is a gin shot that has been carefully engineered to leave a lasting electric tingle in the mouth. It combines a scientific approach with all-natural ingredients - a unique mix of eight rooted botanicals and cherry juice. The instructions are simple: drink chilled, take a shot, hold it in your mouth for 1 - 2 seconds, then swallow and enjoy the effect

There is science behind the drink, an understanding that the addition of a bitter tonic is usually required to give gin a palatable flavour - the two drinks have compatible molecules that create a new taste when combined. WATTSHOT has instead imbued the gin itself with compatible molecules through the added flavours, allowing a smooth, full-bodied taste without the need for a mixer. For the herbal flavour, rooted botanicals were discovered with floral notes and combined with cherry juice, while uniquely balancing all-natural sugars, amino acids, salts, alkaloids and acids - the key factors that determine taste. 

WATTSHOT’s premium gin shot is a must-try with its standalone flavours, but these also make it a versatile drink equally as enjoyable over ice, added to tonic, or mixed into a variety of delicious and stylish cocktails.

MY VERDICT - I like it. I like it alot. I tried it both - room temperature and chilled and the tingle feel definitely stands out when its chilled. It's gin forward with a very distinctive cherry note in there. There's a boozy blast which then gives way to a tingle and a lovely aftertaste on the tongue. There is a herbaceous note in there too but it blends well and doesn't over power the taste.

But thumbs up from me. I would definitely have this as a shot but I reckon it would taste equally delicious poured over ice.

TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.

Adele is a writer, reviewer, judge and panelist living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events),  is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards.

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