Bruichladdich The Botanist Islay Dry Gin NV 750ml

Although the “Botanist” name might suggest a floral gin, instead the flavor profile veers toward herbs and spices. There’s a subtle, herbal scent, with anise flavors up front, backed by coriander seed and cassia bark on the spicy finish. Made by Bruichladdich Distillery, which is renowned for its Scotch, on a pot-still named Ugly Betty. Sold in an attractive, square-shouldered, gift-worthy bottle.

Shows a shocking amount of whitish gray floating debris; I changed glasses and the second pour was identical to the first. Opening nosing passes encounter intensely beany/kernel-like aromas, plus a bevy of other botanicals, including flower petals, jasmine, apple peel, orange zest and angelica; following another six minutes of air contact, the citrus zest emerges as the dominant feature along with juniper/pine; it's actually a lovely, expansive and generous gin bouquet. Entry is silky, leaning to sweet, floral and citrusy; midpalate highlights more of the juniper and other rooty things, like orris. Finishes cleanly and bittersweet and chewy.

Jim McEwan took a progressive and inquisitive approach to gin at the Bruichladdich distillery in Islay, coming up with a liquor that captures the island in liquid form. It incorporates more than 22 botanicals foragers collect on the island; the list includes ingredients such as Islay juniper, wood sage leaf, bog myrtle, heather and wildflowers. The aroma is clean with hints of citrus, forest and flowers, but it's on the tongue that the botanicals explode with light juniper tussled along with herbal-citrus brightness. It's excellent on its own, in herbal cocktails like South Sides or simply with soda.