Review: The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 30, 2020

The Botanist is the creation of Bruichladdich Master Distiller, Jim McEwan who in 2010 oversaw the installation of the lastauthentic Lomond still (recovered during the demolition of Inverleven distillery in Dumbarton) at Bruichladdich and, following modifications by McEwan, he began to produce his Islay dry gin in 2011.

The Botanist is produced upon the Lomond Still in a distillation process which lasts 17 hours. During the final distillation, the core botanicals are placed into the pot of the still in a particular order after the distillate has been raised to a hand hot temperature. These core botanicals (I believe there are 9 in all) are steeped in the hot distillate for 12 hours before distillation begins. Interestingly, in addition to the core botanicals, the gin also uses 22 unique Islay botanicals which have been gathered by hand from the hills and valleys which surround the distillery. These Island botanicals are placed in loosely woven muslin sacks and then into a casket within the lyne arm of the Lomond still where the vapours of the distillation will run through them near the end of the distillation process bringing a unique Islay character to the Botanist Gin.

It is now several years my initial review for The Botanist, and it is time for a fresh look at the spirit to see if it has maintained its high quality.

Here is a link to my full review: