The Botanist Small Batch Islay Gin 70 cl 46%

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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Frequently asked questions about The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

What does The Botanist Islay Dry Gin taste like?

It tastes fresh and layered with juniper up front, spiced depth from cinnamon and cassia and a delicate herbal bitterness.

What makes The Botanist Islay Dry Gin special?

It uses 22 wild-growing botanicals, hand-picked on Islay's hills, peat bogs and coastlines by a professional foraging team.

How is The Botanist Islay Dry Gin best served?

Serve it as a Gin & Tonic with a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme, which complements the herbal notes. A generous highball or copa glass suits it well – find one among our gin & tonic glasses.

Where does The Botanist Islay Dry Gin come from?

It is distilled by Bruichladdich Distillery on the island of Islay in Scotland.

What is The Botanist's connection to whisky?

The gin is distilled at the same distillery as Bruichladdich Whisky, but on a separate, antique Lomond still nicknamed 'Ugly Betty'.