NB Gin will soon be sold in New York, as part of a move to take the award-winning artisan gin to America.

The deal has come as NB Gin partnered with Duggan's Distillers, who will import the spirit into the USA, initially to be distributed in high-end bars and restaurants in New York, before being rolled out in other states.

Exporting the award-winning gin across the Atlantic, is a huge leap for the North Berwick-based company, and a far cry from its origins, which involved the use of test tubers and a pressure cooker in the founders' kitchen.

And those founders, husband-and-wife team Viv and Steve Muir, are delighted with the latest success.

Viv Muir, NB Gin CEO, said: “Similar to the UK, the gin market in the United States is becoming more and more focused on small batch artisan brands. Stockists are seeking out interesting hand-crafted gins because their customers are looking for variety, quality, authenticity and something which has a different 'story' to the mainstream brands.

“We’re thrilled that NB Gin can provide this, and are absolutely delighted that Duggan’s Distillers, which represents the world’s finest producers, has proactively selected our spirit as the first gin to be added to its portfolio.”

And Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael, which advises NB Gin, added: “NB Gin is a great example what the Scottish food and drink sector is capable of.

"They have built a strong, renowned brand around an excellent range of products which are beginning to gain traction across a number of export markets.”

NB Gin is already sold in France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Belgium and even as far afield as Australia, with strong interest coming from China, Canada and Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the county spirit will also be used as part of a "gin mission", with 22 exclusive brands chosen to take part in tasting events in New York and Los Angeles at the end of next month,