The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

Tasting Notes

• Tasting Notes by Rocky

  • Nose

    Complex and overtly floral nose with elderflower and mint being the two botanicals that really start to stand out above the crowd after a few minutes.

  • Palate

    A rich yet silky smooth gin that is a rare beast in that it is pleasant to drink neat. A citrus note from the lemon balm is prominent throughout, balanced by a smorgasbord of floral flavours from the many botanicals used. Sometimes too many ingredients can be a bad thing, but in this case the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

  • Finish

    Long and complex, with the botanicals slowly disappearing, one by one to leave a lovely minty freshness at the very end.

  • Comment

    I can count the number of gins I have enjoyed neat on one hand and this is one of them. However it’s versatile too and can stand up to Fentiman’s tonic as well as making a deliciously floral martini. Betty’s not done badly for an old girl!.

• Producer's Note

  • Colour

    Quicksilver.

  • Body

    The spirit is satin smooth gliding over the palate like no gin you have ever tried before. A totally seductive experience.

  • Nose

    The aromas explode like an olfactory aurora borealis filling the senses with meteorites of smell sensations as they explode from the glass. Sweet delicate menthol, apple mint, spring woodlands, juniper, coriander with aniseed undertones, lemon and orange peel, a bouquet of summer flowers on the Machir, honey from thistle, coconut from gorse, wild mint and summer meadows. It’s a magical melody of Islay’s natural bounty from the atlantic washed beaches to the summit of heather-covered hills. Inhale and you’re there on the Queen of the Hebrides!.

  • Palate

    The taste is rich and mellow; cool on entry then as it reaches the back palate you can feel the warmth and absolute purity of slow unhurried distillation. This is a bewitching, delectable and luxurious gin; its citrus freshness excites and stimulates the taste buds allowing you to experience a starburst of flavours as they explode across the palate.

  • Finish

    All this from a beaten-up old pot still, operated by beaten up distillers on the coast of heaven.