Flavor Profile
Bruichladdich Distillery is primarily known for its whisky. First built in 1881, it opened in the way we know it today in 2001— a Hebridean distillery with a strong emphasis on whiskys in the Islay style. However, gin-lovers encountered them later in the 2010s when they launched The Botanist.
An excellent London Dry Gin, it features a wide range of botanicals yet still celebrates a classic, juniper backbone.
Their 2024 release of The Botanist Islay Cask Rested Gin is a celebration of their gin and their expert blending practices. Their signature gin is rested in a cuvée of 16 different casks, including American Oak and European Oak, for at least six months.
Tasting notes
Color: Butterscotch in hue and transparent
Aroma: Mostly herbal, with only the subtlest barrel character. Botanist Islay Cask Rested Gin is about the botanicals. Herbaceous juniper, some hints of woodruff and coumarin aroma, and bitter orange rind. Spicy cinnamon lends it some pepperiness as it warms.
Flavor: This is where the barrel’s flavor impact comes through strongly. Woodruff, vanilla cream, and orange zest early. Cinnamon and cassia spice burst from the background mid-palate. It begins to highlight an “apple pie” spice blend, with hints of ginger as well.
Later on the palate, as if by clockwork the juniper comes through. Herbaceous and somewhat dark, its highlighted with some mint, along with the continued spice.
The flavor is complex, multi-faceted, and evolves on the palate after the sip.
Finish: Moderately long— Clean and dry, with vanilla kissed cinnamon and chamomile.
Cocktails
I really enjoyed The Botanist Islay Cask Rested Gin in an Old Fashioned with Black Walnut Bitters.
It’s light enough to mix, owing to the bold botanical character. Try it in a Martinez. However, my favorite way to enjoy it was simply neat or on the rocks.
Overall, The Botanist Islay Cask Rested Gin
The Botanist Islay Cask Rested Gin is a beautiful harmony of expert blending, the right amount of age, and a bold botanical focused gin.
It’s remarkable how the barrel transforms the source material (The Botanist Gin) in a way that can be so different, yet so clearly tied to the original.
The Botanist also released an aged version (3 years). I haven’t tried, so I’ll link to another who has. If it’s anywhere near as good as this one, I’m looking forward to trying.
Highly recommended in its category
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