The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
Rémy Cointreau (Bruichladdich Distillery) · Bruichladdich Distillery, Islay, Scotland
The Botanist is the gin that proves terroir isn’t just a wine concept. Those 22 wild Islay botanicals — foraged by hand over 30 weeks each year from bogs, shores, and hillsides — give it a sense of place that no factory gin can replicate. The rescued Lomond still allows a 17-hour distillation, four times longer than whisky, extracting complexity that faster methods miss entirely. At 46% ABV and under $40, it’s one of the most characterful gins on the planet, and the subtle coastal salinity at the finish reminds you that this spirit was born on an island battered by the Atlantic.
Nose
Bright herbal freshness, citrus zest, sweet menthol mint, wildflower bouquet, pine
Palate
Silky and balanced — juniper, lemon, coriander with aniseed undertones, honey from thistle, coconut from gorse
Finish
Lingering herbal notes, coastal salinity, faint anise, and earthy warmth
- Botanicals
- 31 total — 22 hand-foraged wild Islay botanicals + 9 classic gin botanicals
- Base Spirit
- 100% wheat spirit + Islay spring water
- Distillation
- 17-hour slow distillation in Lomond pot still (“Ugly Betty”)
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Islay Garden: 2 oz The Botanist · 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice · 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur · 3 oz tonic water · Fresh thyme sprig and cucumber ribbon. Build in a large wine glass over ice.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Grilled salmon with dill and lemon — the herbal, citrus gin and the herb-crusted fish are made for each other.
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