Scottish Opera Debuts Gin Bottle That Can Play Music

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When the gin’s label is inserted into a music box, it will play a song from “Madama Butterfly.” (Photo: Susan Castillo/Scottish Opera)

In celebration of its 60th season, the Scottish Opera teamed up with The Biggar Gin Co. to launch a gin that can play music once its label is inserted into a music box.

Suonare Gin is a London dry made with thoughtfully selected botanicals that “have a strong connection with the operatic world,” according to the news release. The botanicals include Seville oranges, bergamot from Calabria in Italy, lavender from France, pink peppercorn from South America and nettles from the Borders of Scotland.

The gin’s name, Suonare, means “to play,” typically in regards to the act of playing a piece of music or an instrument.

In addition to paying homage to the great world of opera, the gin’s tasting notes reflect the Scottish Opera’s 60th season’s international repertoire which includes opera performances from Italy, France and South America.

“We started off supplying the team at Scottish Opera with a number of different sample gins, connecting botanicals with locations significant to opera,” said The Biggar Gin Co-Founder Stuart McVicar. “After a number of tasting sessions, we tied this down. As for the gin itself, it could be described as a classic and traditional London Dry Gin which then incorporates citrus-led notes of high limes, orange and lemon, plus Italian bergamot and a gentle element of spice.”

After carefully removing the label from the bottle, it can be inserted into a music box. The song of choice is “Un Bel Di” from Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece, “Madama Butterfly,” which was performed in the Scottish Opera’s first season in 1962.

“We wanted to create something celebratory that our patrons could share in and enjoy, to mark this significant milestone in our history,” shared Scottish Opera General Director Alex Reedijk. “The choice of a gin was made as a way of creating something that would be representative of our respect for tradition and excitement around innovation, craftsmanship and artistry.”

Suonare Gin’s bottling was designed by Glasgow-based creative design agency, Tangent, using sustainably sourced materials such as FSC-approved paper and a gold wax seal.

This isn’t Tangent’s first time working with a gin producer’s brand identity. The design agency’s previous work with Eden Mill gave rise to the texture-rich glass bottles we associate the Scottish spirits brand with. Tangent also played a considerable role in designing the bottle of Gordon Ramsay’s own gin, produced by Eden Mill.

The musical Scottish Opera gin was first announced in October 2022 and is currently available for purchase on The Biggar Gin Co.’s website.

Find a bottle of Suonare Gin here, priced at £38.00 ($46.92).

Read next:

5 Essential Scottish Gins to Add to Your Home Bar

Does London Dry Gin Have to be From London?

Complete List of Celebrity-Owned Gins

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