The decision to repackage The Botanist Gin in a unique, proprietary bottle was to tell a little of the story behind the Scottish dry gin.
As the name suggests, this gin gives particular attention to the botanicals used in its production. Since its launch in 2011, most of the botanicals have been hand-picked on Islay and distilled to produce the award-winning gin.
All 22 of the native botanicals hand-foraged from Islay are embossed in Latin on the bottle and its beautiful design has made it a talking point worldwide.
But it’s not the only Scottish gin to have made a name for itself in part by the unique bottle. Hendrick’s Gin is another with a story behind its packaging. Not as stylish as The Botanist Gin but as distinct, Hendrick’s uses an iconic old style medicine bottle.
Dark coloured glass was first used a century ago to hold precious liquids that needed protecting from sunlight. The diamond-shaped label and old font complete the Victorian era look.
Scottish Gins - The Botanist Vs Hendrick’s
Two Scottish gins pitted against each other. Here we compare the similarities and the differences between the two.
The Botanist Gin
It’s not just its beautiful bottle, there is a lot to like about The Botanist Gin.
Botanicals
The list of botanicals in this one bottle is impressive, 31 to be precise and including 22 which are native to Islay.
The list includes angelica root, birch leaves, bog myrtle leaves, cassia bark, chamomile, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, creeping thistle flowers, elder flowers, gorse flowers, heather flowers, hawthorn flowers, juniper berries, lardy’s bedstraw flowers, lemon balm, lemon peel, liquorice root, meadowsweet, mint (apple), mugwort leaves, orange peel, orris root, peppermint leaves, red clover flowers, tansy, thyme leaves, water mint leaves, white clover and wood sage leaves.
The Still
The Botanist Gin is produced at the Bruichladdich distillery in an old still nicknamed 'Ugly Betty' and described as an ‘oversized upside-down dustbin made of copper’. The botanicals simmer at low pressure, so they slowly release their flavours over the 17-hour distillation process known as ‘trickle distilled’. The distillery is also used to produce peated and unpeated Islay whiskeys.
Awards
UK drink retailer, The Whisky Exchange, awarded The Botanist Gin with the Fine Spirit of the Year award.
Tasting Notes for The Botanist Gin
The Botanist Gin is rich, mellow and satin smooth which glides over the palate with citrus freshness to excite the taste buds.
Serve Botanist Gin with ice, top with tonic water and toss in a sprig of rosemary. If you prefer your gin straight, then serve on the rocks with a spring apple blossom for a garden twist or a wedge of lime for a citrus classic. If you feel like a martini, mix in dry vermouth. You can buy The Botanist Gin in our online store.
Hendrick’s Gin
If the historic feel of Hendrick’s Gin doesn’t draw you in, its unique flavour infusion is sure to do the trick.
Botanicals
The list of botanicals in Hendrick’s Gin is somewhat shorter than The Botanist’s. Hendricks uses 11 botanicals including angelica, caraway, chamomile, coriander, cubeb, elderflower, juniper, lemon, orange, orris root and yarrow. These botanicals set the scene for the infusion of cucumber and rose petals – its signature flavours.
The Stills
Hendrick’s is a small batch producer, distilling 500 litres at a time. Hendrick’s uses not one but two stills – a traditional copper pot and a Carter-Head still which has a copper basket for holding the botanicals during distillation. By using the two stills, Hendrick’s is able to produce a smooth gin with just the right balance of flavours.
Awards
Hendrick’s Gin won a Silver Outstanding award in the 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Tasting Notes for Hendrick’s Gin
Hendrick’s Gin starts with spice then introduces leafy notes before finishing with spice. A fruity gin with berries and citrus.
To appreciate the cucumber infusion, serve Hendrick’s Gin with ice, topped with tonic water garnished with a slice of cucumber. You can buy Hendrick’s Gin in our online store.
If you have any queries about The Botanist or Hendrick’s Gin, contact the team at Copper & Oak.
