Botanist / Islay Dry Gin - 200ml

Volume: 0.2 litres | Alcohol content: 46% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Islay’s plant life complements the classic gin ingredients in The Botanist: 22 wild-foraged botanicals from the island join nine traditional ingredients drawn from roots, barks, peels, berries and seeds. The local selection includes apple mint, sweet gale, bedstraw, creeping thistle and heather. Two professional foragers gather the island botanicals by hand, taking care to preserve plant populations.

Production combines maceration and vapour infusion. First, the nine classic ingredients steep for twelve hours in warmed neutral grain spirit, diluted to 57% with Islay spring water. During the gentle ten-hour distillation that follows, the vapours pass through a chamber containing the 22 island botanicals. After condensation, more spring water brings the spirit to its bottling strength of 46%.

The alcohol strength supports a full, smooth mouthfeel and gives the gin presence in cocktails. No sugar, sweeteners or artificial additives are added. The Botanist works equally well in a Gin & Tonic or a Dry Martini. The 0.2-litre bottle features the Latin names of the 22 island botanicals embossed in the glass.

Resinous pine notes complement the juniper character, while a subtle hint of heather also appears on the nose.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Juniper, fresh herbs and sweet citrus notes define the nose, joined by mint, thyme, sweet gale, gorse and chamomile.
• Palate: The gin feels full-bodied and soft on the palate. An initially cool sensation gives way to warmth, accompanied by a rounded mouthfeel and fresh citrus notes. Sweet and earthy tones mingle with floral and herbal aromas.
• Finish: The balanced finish retains a gentle, silky-smooth texture with harmoniously integrated botanical notes.

Distillery/Bottler:

The Botanist is made at Bruichladdich Distillery on Loch Indaal, Islay. The Harvey brothers built the distillery in 1881, originally for whisky production. Following its closure in 1994, private investors led by Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin took over the business in 2000. Together with Jim McEwan, they restored the distillery, and whisky production resumed in 2001.

A used Lomond still dating from 1959 found a new purpose in the gin project. Jim McEwan had the still, later named Ugly Betty, adapted for gin distillation. It produced its first gin in 2010, and The Botanist was launched in 2011. The original selection of 22 island botanicals is still used today. Master Distiller Adam Hannett has been responsible for production since 2016.

Facts: