Yes, you’ve read the title right, today’s blog is not about a whisky but rather about a gin with a whisky connection. The Botanist Gin is the first and only dry gin made in Islay. It uses nine classic gin aromatics that are then enhanced by 22 botanicals that are hand-picked locally by their foraging team.

The 22 botanicals, according to their site, are: Apple Mint, Chamomile, Creeping Thistle, Downy Birch, Elder, Gorse (Whin), Hawthorn, Heather, Juniper, Lady’s Bedstraw, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Red Clover, Spear Mint, Sweet Cicely, Bog Myrtle (Sweet Gale), Tansy, Water Mint, White Clover, Wild Thyme and Wood Sage

The Botanist is slowly distilled by Bruichladdich in a Lomond Still called “Ugly Betty”. It was designed in 1955 to be a “one-stop-shop” by chemical engineer Alistair Cunningham and draftsman Arthur Warren. Since we were there we could see the still for ourselves.

Now, I am not a gin drinker by any means and the last place I thought I’d be drinking gin was in Islay during our Scotland visit. But, there we were at our Bruichladdich distillery tour no less, drinking gin. This gin, I would drink any day. It’s light, smooth, floral and simply delicious.

Smells like a bouquet of wild flowers. The taste is delicate and complex. For the most part I read some reviews that really like this gin while a few others truly hated it. Personally, I love it!

It is light enough that I could drink on its own or in a cocktail. I have tasted many other name brand gins that I have not liked, this gin I like. With that said, it is bottled at 46% ABV, so I try not to get heavy handed with it. When mixed in a cocktail it truly blends in well leaving your taste buds with hints of floral notes.

If you are looking for a new gin to try, I truly recommend giving this one a chance. It is refreshing, unique and very tasty. Until I find another gin I like, this will be our go to gin from now on.

Cheers!

PS: I do intend to do a full Bruichladdich distillery tour review within the weeks to come. Stay tune for that. Also, if you are still searching for a whisky gift guide be sure to check my list.

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.