Botanist / Islay Dry Gin with plant bowl

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 46% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

In this gift version, the packaging has a second purpose: the metal planter can be filled with soil to grow your own herbs for cocktail garnishes. It accompanies a 0.7-litre bottle of The Botanist Islay Dry Gin at 46% alcohol.

The Botanist combines nine classic gin botanicals with 22 wild plants gathered by hand on Islay. Production brings together two methods: the classic ingredients steep for twelve hours in warmed neutral grain spirit diluted to 57% with Islay spring water. During the subsequent ten-hour gentle distillation, the vapour passes through a separate chamber containing the island plants, picking up their aromas. Further Islay spring water then brings the distillate to bottling strength.

Bottling at 46% supports the full, supple mouthfeel: at this strength, the essential oils and aromatic compounds extracted from the plants remain well dissolved in the alcohol. Juniper, citrus freshness and floral, herbal notes define the gin. Pine notes and a subtle hint of heather add to its aromatic character. It works equally well in a Gin and Tonic or a Dry Martini.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Juniper and sweet citrus notes mingle with fresh herbal aromas. Mint, thyme, bog myrtle, gorse and chamomile add further detail.
• Palate: The gin initially feels cool before developing warmth on the palate. Its full, gentle flavour combines citrus freshness with sweet, earthy, floral and herbal notes. The mouthfeel is rounded and silky, with further subtle facets emerging with each sip.
• Finish: The botanical flavours remain harmoniously joined in the balanced finish. A gentle, silky-smooth texture carries the aftertaste.

Distillery/Bottler:

Bruichladdich stands on Loch Indaal on the Scottish island of Islay. The Harvey brothers founded the distillery in 1881. Following its closure in 1994, Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin took over the business with other investors in 2000, bringing in Jim McEwan to help rebuild it. Whisky distillation resumed in 2001.

For the gin project, McEwan used an existing Lomond still dating from 1959. Following its conversion, it was named Ugly Betty and produced its first gin distillate in 2010. The Botanist launched in 2011. Bruichladdich has belonged to Rémy Cointreau since 2012. Adam Hannett took over as Master Distiller in 2016, while Kate Hannett and James Donaldson gather the island's wild plants. The original selection of 22 Islay botanicals has remained unchanged.

Facts: