Menu Section: Spirits Gin Premium

Japanese Impact Craft Gin

The Botanist may well be Scotland's finest gin. Its intensely complicated mash bill is a gathering of botanicals from one side of the country to the other, including hawthorn, white clover, red clover, birch leaf, sweet chamomile peel, oris root, wild Islay juniper, elderflower, apple, mint, sage leaf, wood, bog, myrtle, sweet cicely, creeping thistle, peppermint leaf, heather flowers, mugwort leaves, thyme leaf and gorse flower. In all, there are nine of the traditional botanicals and 22 botanicals unique to Scotland. This is a hugely floral gin with the addition of apple, menthol, honey, coconut and a touch of peat bog. The intensity is reminiscent of its sister Islay whiskies. The flavors explode on the palate and the finish is huge, but settles down with a lovely citrus, licorice, menthol and earthy warmth. It's a triumph for gin while remaining uniquely Scottish. Lady’s bedstraw, angelica root, cassia bark, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, juniper berries, lemon peel, licorice root and orange.

Nose: Very light and fresh-smelling. Delicate juniper leads to a savoury and lime cordial-led aroma with an understated floral influence.
Initially pleasingly smooth, but becoming spicier towards the finish. A lighter gin with a little more rose influence than on the nose, but the cucumber is still hidden away. Not what is expected given the marketing. More lime cordial and a good dash of cumin to give a little character which otherwise stays firmly in the easy-going realm.