The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (70cl) NV

If you know anything about the Bruichladdich distillery, you’ll not be surprised to learn that their artisanal gin is designed to reflect the island’s unique character. They use nine of the classic gin aromatics and augment these with no fewer than 22 local botanicals, hand harvested by their expert team of foragers. Using herbs such as apple mint, sweet chamomile, heather and wild thyme, distiller Jim McEwan slowly simmers the infusion in his cherished Lomond pot still, known affectionately as ‘Ugly Betty’. Betty was recovered from the old Inverleven distillery in 2005 and floated round to Islay by barge. Jim then spent time updating the still to slow the process down for maximum extraction. Crisp and expressive for the perfect G and T.