Gin of Layered Complexity

For the summer hols, The Botanist Gin was the chosen gin for a healthy sundowner — mainly because it was the bottle nearest the checkout in the duty free shop. Serendipity, as it is an absolutely cracking gin.

Twenty-two botanicals

The Botanist, a dry gin, was launched in 2010. The gin is distilled at the famous Bruichladdich whisky distillery on Islay in the Inner Hebrides, land of the Gaels.

Gin of the Gaels

The Botanist Gin is made from thirty-one botanicals, twenty-two foraged on the Isle of Islay itself and listed on the attractive bottle in embossed glass. The botanicals are introduced in a slowed-down, low-pressure distillation process that creates 'a truly artisanal, small-batch, hand-crafted labour of love and distiller’s art. A breath of botanical Islay in every glass.'

Makes for a wonderful gin and tonic. I took it with 1724 Tonic and a slice of lime, though in the excellent garnish guide from The Gin Guide, they recommend a slice of grapefruit or lemon and thyme. 1724 uses quinine picked at 1724 metres above sea level in Peru, which they say makes for a smoother, more refined classic tonic water.

In terms of stockpiling for your hols, if you're pouring two decent sundowners a night, I think you're looking at a bottle a week — and a great holiday!