The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

The Botanist is made by Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay in Scotland. Bruichladdich is better known for whisky, which makes The Botanist unusual as a gin from an Islay whisky distillery.

The Botanist uses 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals alongside more traditional gin ingredients. That local botanical mix is the main reason the bottle is marketed around Islay terroir rather than only juniper and citrus.

It is not a peated whisky-style spirit, so smoke is not the main flavor. The gin is more about herbal, floral, citrus, and earthy notes, bottled at 46 percent ABV.

A simple premium tonic works well because the gin already has a complex botanical profile. Citrus peel, rosemary, thyme, or mint can make sense, but heavy flavored tonics can cover up the Islay botanicals.