The Botanist Gin is a Hebridean deal with from Islay, an island within the Interior Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. It’s a really spectacular gin, with 22 (actually!) regionally hand-foraged botanicals working alongside some core ones. Bottled at a punchy 46%, our evaluate of The Botanist Gin finds a recent, clear and fantastically balanced gin distilled with recent Islay spring water. It’s a premium gin that’s priced attractively, and offered in a bottle that makes an amazing addition to any gin shelf.
These 22 hand-foraged botanical are positioned in a botanical basket for the principle distillation, which itself solely takes place after an in a single day maceration of the 9 core botanicals. It is a gin that’s been made with actual delight, effort and ability by the distillers. And, as an apart, it’s really made by the identical distillery as Bruichladdich whisky, which is a beautiful dram…
So what are the 22 hand-foraged botanicals you ask? Properly, deep breath: apple mint, chamomile, creeping thistle, downy birch, elder, gorse, hawthorn, heather, juniper, woman’s bedstraw, lemon balm, meadowsweet, mugwort, purple clover, spearmint, candy cicely, lavatory myrtle, tansy, water mint, white clover, wild thyme, wooden sage.
A number of of these would possibly effectively resonate with you in case you take an curiosity within the botanicals in your gin. Definitely lavatory myrtle and chamomile, for instance, may be acquainted. Most of the listing, nevertheless, are prone to be new names. It’s incredible to see a distillery take inspiration from the character that surrounds them. It’s additionally the place the title comes from; a transparent nod to the botanical inspirations behind this gin.
The Botanist Gin evaluate
On opening the bottle, you’re confronted by a pleasant aroma. I’ve had The Botanist many instances earlier than, but it surely’s not one thing I’ll ever tire of. There’s a pleasant hit of juniper, and the citrus peel from the core botanicals additionally makes an early displaying. That heady and floral botanical combine can be there although; there’s a beautiful subtlty and clear high quality on the nostril.
To style, there’s an earthier high quality that additionally comes by on this gin. The heat of the cinnamon and coriander lay a stable basis alongside the juniper for these lighter botanicals. The citrus continues to be there within the background too. With 22 hand-foraged botanicals it would all the time be fairly troublesome to select them out individually (and the individuality of some them would compound that), however hats off to the distillers right here; The Botanist Gin is a triumph of stability.
The right way to serve The Botanist Gin
The very best serve for The Botanist Gin? It is a versatile gin, and one which you possibly can use as a base for cocktails. It’s additionally very effectively crafted, and balanced as we notice above. It subsequently makes for an amazing drink over ice, and it already options on our listing of favorite gins which are good to drink neat.
Garnish-wise, we actually appreciated serving The Botanist with grapefruit. The marginally acidic nature of the grapefruit actually contrasts effectively with the floral botanicals. It’s a gin that might work effectively with any citrus garnish although. And the identical goes for a extra floral garnish too. I wouldn’t be afraid to experiment with something like cucumber, mint, thyme, chamomile, or slices of apple; all of them would complement these pretty foraged botanicals. A Botanist and Tonic, over ice with any of these garnishes, is a elegant serve. The extra radical in us might even strive The Botanist with ginger ale; it actually is flexible.
Total, I might completely advocate you strive The Botanist Gin in case you haven’t already. It’s a gin that’s pleased with its island residence and its heritage, and all that these can supply, and that delight shines by in a high quality drink.
The Botanist Gin Planter Present Set
Now, for many of the critiques on this web site I usually characteristic a picture that I’ve taken of the bottle. Nonetheless, for this one, I’ve opted for an image of The Botanist Gin Planter Present Set. I used to be very kindly despatched one by the group at The Botanist, and I believe it makes for a incredible reward.
The reward set encompasses a 70cl bottle and, as you’ll be able to see, it is available in a tin planter embellished with the identical Latin botanical names that may be discovered on the bottle. The thought is that you simply fill the tin with soil and get planting! You possibly can develop your individual herbs, garnishes (what else!), or no matter you fancy. The reward pack additionally consists of foraged cocktail recipes, some seeds and garnish inspirations. It’s an amazing, sustainable reward.
The pack itself retails for about £45, however do store round. For instance, you should buy it right here from The Botanist Gin’s personal web site, or from Amazon under.
The place to purchase The Botanist Gin
Within the UK, you’ll be able to purchase The Botanist from Amazon by clicking right here, or by way of the hyperlink under. You may as well but it surely direct from The Botanist web site right here, in lots of bottle sizes. Try their different presents too, similar to highball glass tumblers, stainless-steel straws and aprons.
For reader within the US and Canada, the excellent news is that you could purchase The Botanist from Drizly by clicking right here.
Disclosure
I imagine in full disclosure and, as famous within the article above, I used to be gifted The Botanist Present Planter Present pack. No different remuneration was obtained. I solely characteristic gins and presents on this web site that I might be comfortable to advocate. That is actually the case with The Botanist Gin.
Cheers! Andy, Founder, whichgin.com
