On Islay's windswept hills, peat bogs and Atlantic shores, a team of foraging experts spent seven months finding the right plants. The result was the world's first Islay Dry Gin, distilled at a whisky distillery.
Expert's description
The Botanist Small Batch Islay Dry Gin is a Scottish Dry Gin distilled by Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay and bottled at 46%.
Bruichladdich, founded in 1881, launched the world's first Islay Dry Gin in 2010. The name comes from two local botanists, Dr Richard and Mavis Gulliver, who helped then-master distiller Jim McEwan select the wild botanicals.
Beyond nine classic botanicals, including wild Islay juniper, cassia bark, angelica root, coriander seed and cinnamon bark, a full 22 wild-growing plants are added, hand-picked from Islay's hills, peat bogs and coastlines.
The gin is distilled on an antique Lomond still nicknamed 'Ugly Betty', and the whole process from harvest to finished gin takes seven months.
Tasting notes
Nose
The nose is complex and herbal with juniper and citrus, backed by an earthy, coastal note from the wild Islay plants.
Palate
The palate is fresh and layered with juniper up front, spiced depth from cinnamon and cassia and a delicate herbal bitterness.
Finish
The finish is long and herbal, with a last trace of citrus and coastal salinity.
Specifications
Name: The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
Country: Scotland
Type: Dry Gin
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5055807400596
Serving suggestion: Gin & Tonic with a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme
Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
Flavour profile
Herbal · Complex · Coastal · Spiced · Fresh
Did you know?
From around 33 plants identified on Islay by botanists Richard and Mavis Gulliver, Jim McEwan selected the 22 that made it into the final recipe.
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