The Botanist Gin (700ml)

A progressive exploration of the botanical heritage of their isle of islay.  22 hand-foraged local botanicals delicately augment nine berries, barks,seeds and peels during an achingly slow distillation. This first and original Islay dry gin is a rare expression of the heart and soul of their remote Scottish island.
When they set out to capture the essence of Islay, they looked at things in a new light. How do you create a gin of beautiful balance and satin smoothness, the very first of its kind from Islay? Something that evoked the feeling of being there, like the sweet scent of the gorse bloom in the air on the first days of spring. The earthy aromas of a woodland walk after the rain. The herbaceous fragrance as the wind blows across an open moor. A gin that would honour the island’s reputation for creating the highest quality spirits, revered the world over.

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.

About the Producer:
ISLAY. The Hebridean island home of The Botanist clings to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and braves its UNTAMED WEATHER systems. Wild is also a STATE OF MIND, an attitude. The Botanist was a wild idea. They shocked traditionalists in the rather staid world of scotch whisky when we announced in 2010 that we would create a gin.

Cocktails:
The Botanist and tonic with grapefruit and rosemary.

This new signature serve combines two unmistakable flavours – grapefruit and rosemary. Grapefruit adds an acidic freshness to The Botanist and Tonic, complementing the citrus flavours found in this gin, while the rosemary brings a herbaceous, piney quality that pairs well with juniper.

Ingredients:
50ml / 1½ oz The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
Premium tonic water
A sprig of thyme and grapefruit wheel to garnish

Method:
1. Pour The Botanist into an ice-filled highball glass
2. Top up with premium tonic water
3. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a grapefruit wheel

The Botanist Dry Martini

The ‘Dry’ Martini is the most classic of Martini cocktails. It is perfect for people who love the flavour of gin and the best way to let the balanced flavour and mouth feel of The Botanist come through.

Ingredients:
75ml/2.5oz The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
15ml/0.5oz Dry vermouth (chilled from the fridge)
Classic garnish: Lemon peel twist
Alternative garnish: Lemon balm

Method:
1. Chill a Nick and Nora glass by filling with ice
2. Fill a mixing glass with 2/3 good quality ice
3. Add all the ingredients and stir continuously for at least 30 seconds to allow the ingredients to chill and dilute slightly
4. Empty the ice out of the glass
5. Strain into your chilled glass
6. Garnish with a lemon twist or lemon balm