The Botanist launches ultra-rare aged gin

Scottish gin producer The Botanist has unveiled an ultra-rare release from its distillery – which is one of the oldest gins currently on the market.

The 2011 Single Cask Islay Aged Gin has been maturing at the Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay since the year The Botanist – based at the same facility – was launched.

Created by Bruichladdich head distiller Adam Hannett, it has been matured in a premium red wine cask, soaking up the colour and flavours of the oak barrel as well as the influences of the coastal air around Islay. With only one cask available, just 418 350ml bottles of this gin will be released.  

Adam said: “It’s something special to have a single cask of The Botanist, matured from the first year that we realised it, out into the world. We describe The Botanist as the unique expression of the heart and soul of Islay but obviously the island is best known for whisky. Curiosity and patience led us to this unique experiment. We think it’s been worth the wait.”

Tasting notes for the aged gin, provided by the distillery, say it combines notes of brown sugar, honey, tobacco and toffee from the oak cask with citrus freshness and juniper. The Botanist team recommends enjoying the gin neat or on ice.  

Douglas Taylor, CEO of Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “This single cask of The Botanist Islay Aged Gin is the embodiment of our curiosity, craft and philosophy. To think that it has been maturing quietly on Islay, from the very beginning of the brand’s existence to this point, is really special. I’m delighted to toast The Botanist’s 10th birthday with this incredible and unique spirit.”

The gin is being launched as part of the Bruichladdich Distillery’s Féis Ìle 2021 celebrations, a virtual event taking place on 30 May. This year’s event will be centred around some of the milestones the distillery has achieved in its 140-year history.

You can register to buy a bottle of The Botanist 2011 Single Cask Islay Aged Gin at community.bruichladdichdistillery.com/register. Bottles will go on sale from 30 May and will be allocated via ballot.