Shipyard Gin Launched by Greenock Entrepreneur

That the Parliament congratulates Andy Samuel on fulfilling a life-long dream by launching Shipyard Gin, which pays homage to Inverclyde’s shipbuilding past and his grandfather, John, who worked in the yards and as a hobby would make wine from locally-collected berries and flowers for friends and family; understands that the 37-year-old from Greenock has created Shipyard Gin with locally-sourced botanicals, including gorse, elderflower and heather, and alongside head distiller, Lewis Scothern, developed the recipe over six months and three trial distillations; further understands that the pandemic brought Andy’s day job as a wedding film-maker to a standstill, but that Andy used this break in business to develop the product; notes that Shipyard Gin is bottled in distinctive octagonal bottles to represent the bow of a ship and that, to commemorate the product’s launch, Andy commissioned Scottish colourist and seascape artist, Robert Kelsey, to create a design that evokes the spirit of the River Clyde, with a ship visible through the bottle; appreciates Andy’s ambition to eventually open a local micro distillery that would go on to become a tourist attraction, offering tours that highlight Inverclyde’s shipbuilding heritage; commends Andy’s entrepreneurship, and wishes him and Shipyard Gin all the best for the future.