The Botanist Gin is a small-batch, artisanal Islay Dry Gin combining nine classic gin botanicals with a further twenty two others that are local to the island. With 31 botanicals, one could easily think that the gin might be a confusing mess, but thankfully – it’s anything but.
22 hand-foraged local botanicals delicately augment nine berries, barks, seeds and peels during an achingly slow distillation. The first Islay dry gin is a rare expression of the heart and soul of our remote Scottish island. The long and complex process of creating The Botanist, from foraging the island botanicals, to distilling the spirit to bottling leads to a gin of incredible complexity, depth and flavour.
The Botanist’s rich, smooth and delicate flavours make it one of the most versatile gins in the world.
Tasting Notes:
Body: Satin smooth; it glides across the palate. The viscosity of the liquid is exceptional.
Nose: Immediately a bouquet of herbal freshness, juniper and sweet citrus come to the fore. Allow a little time to open and the sweet, spicy and earthy notes of cassia and coriander set a base for the delicate complexity of the Islay 22. The scent of Islay botanicals gently rises, winding their wild aromas of mint, thyme, sweet gale, gorse, camomile – a green freshness – through the heart of The Botanist.
taste: Rich and mellow, cool on entry then warming across the palate, stimulating the taste buds with a round mouthfeel and citrus freshness. The balance and complexity are distinctive. Sweet and earthy notes combine with the delicate floral and herbal notes of the Islay 22. Each sip reveals deeper layers and more complex combinations of delicate flavours. This complexity and versatility perfectly suit a creative serve of you own.
Finish: Relaxed and balanced. Water mint, hawthorn, wood sage, sweet cicely, cinnamon, citrus, soft juniper – a harmonious combination held together with a gentle, satin soft texture. The viscosity from an achingly slow distillation brings out the delicate essence of Islay, expressing a different balance of flavour, a different combination of botanicals, upon every taste.
