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The once mothballed Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay is better known for its idiosyncratic and eclectic range of single malts. Now they’re making a gin that’s the talk of the town. Mark Reynier, one of the key instigators in this distillery’s recent revival, explains, “Botanist gin came about because we are curious about distilling. For us it is not a question of merely pushing buttons, we like to test our distilling skills, we are intrigued. With Trestaraig and X4 we have explored triple and quadruple distillation, so with a Lomond still that we had liberated from Inverleven in 2003, we were wondering how to use it. It was an experimental still, the first of its kind and now the last”. The resulting gin uses nine of the classic gin aromatics – orris root, cassia bark, coriander seed, etc – and augments these with a heady harvest of 22 wild, native island botanicals, hand-picked by Bruichladdich’s expert foraging team from the windswept hills, peat bogs and atlantic shores of this Hebridean island of Islay. These include wild Islay Juniper, Elderflower, Bog Myrtle, Tansy, Hawthorn Flower, Birch Leaves, White Clover, Sweet Cicely and Lady's Bedstraw, amongst others. This truly seasonal and exotic cocktail is then slow "simmer" distilled in the lomond pot-still, nicknamed "ugly betty". Head distiller, Jim McEwan explains, “Betty prefers to work at low-pressure and won’t be rushed. So our precious botanicals are slowly and gently coaxed into releasing their complex, signature aromatics. Jim says he had to "learn a new dance" with Betty, and none of us knew what to expect from that first, achingly-slow 17 hour distillation. The result: a highly distinctive, complex, floral gin with outstanding finish and impeccable provenance. In an age of re-badged industrial gins, the Botanist stands out as a truly artisanal, small-batch, hand-crafted labour of love and distiller's art. A breath of botanical Islay in every glass. Tasting note: [30ml sample] Crystal clear, slightly viscous appearance. Powerful bouquet opens with fresh juniper and thyme followed by orange peel, coriander and pine. Excellent complexity and purity. Medium dry, concentrated profile delivers a creamy-yet-peppery mouthfeel with a nice balance between citrus peel and juniper. Orange peel on the finish leads into a subtle, persistent peppermint / eucalypt aftertaste. Great stuff - and if you're mixing, it lends a lovely creaminess to G&T’s. 46% Alc./Vol.

Founded in 1824, Glenlivet Distillery is one of the truly great names in Scottish whisky. In this very special bottle, Master Distiller Alan Winchester, has combined aged oak casks and American first-fill oak casks, to create an exceptionally smooth single malt. To the nose there are delicate aromas of citrus fruit, and the palate is sweet, with notes of oranges and pears, and hints of toffee apples and candy. Drink it neat as an end of the night tipple, or match it with a grilled rib eye steak with a side of pumpkin mash, to make a meal even better.

The result is a perfect combination of vibrancy and depth. The nose is sweetly aromatic with notes of cream soda, cacao husk, sandalwood, pineapple and green almonds. In the mouth, a viscous honeyed entry precedes spicy wood aromatics along with parchment and caramelised walnuts. Adding water brings a little of that Ardmore smoke to the fore. The finish is refreshing and long. Simply sip and savour—with a dash of water to release the oils and esters—or enjoy as a long drink with soda, Japanese style.

North Uist Distilling Co., founded by islanders Jonny Ingledew and Kate MacDonald, crafts premium spirits that capture the wild character of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Produced at the historic Nunton Steadings, their award‑winning Downpour Gin range reflects the island’s dramatic Atlantic weather and rugged landscape, with locally foraged heather, coastal pepper dulse seaweed, and wild thyme delivering bold, vibrant flavour. Downpour Coast & Croft is a citrus‑forward, island‑inspired gin with a bright nose and a savoury sea‑spray finish, earning accolades including a Master Medal at The Spirits Business Spring Blind Tasting 2023 and Best New Product of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards 2022. A true taste of North Uist in every drop.