Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, Reinhard offers an in-depth review of The Botanist, an excellent gin made with 22 hand-picked botanicals from the isle of Islay.
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/spirits/botanist-gin
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about gin such as this Botanist Islay Dry Gin in our guide:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/gin
00:00 Introduction
For this review, Reinhard has used the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula, a quantifiable review matrix that you can use at home for your own tasting (and review!) purposes. For a PDF version of the completed formula for this video, visit the review link above.
00:28 Overview
The Botanist Gin from Bruichladdich Distillery on the isle of Islay, a juniper-forward expression with an overall herbaceous profile, is made using 22 different botanicals that are local to the region.
01:08 Robe & Appearance
When it comes to color, there is not much to say for a gin other than it's slightly hazy. The viscosity is thick and oily, even though the legs run down in a rather quick fashion. This gin is 46% VBA, so it's a bit stronger than the traditional 40%. This will give a bit more character, taking your classic gin and tonic or dry martini cocktail to another level.
03:25 The Botanist Gin's Nose
First of all, the nose has a strong juniper blast which is characteristic of a London dry style gin. There's not too much of a citric note as The Botanist is more herbaceous with a briny, maritime character.
I also detect some sweet herbs similar to a slightly bruised mint that has become dark and resinous. There are also notes of thyme, rosemary, and camomile.
04:53 Palate & Finish
The Botanist Dry Gin has a mellow beginning with a slight salty mineral character. This speaks a little to the overall provenance, and to the characteristic of where the distillery sits.
This is not your typical London dry style gin, indeed, it has sort of a Northern association with it. It's a bit rough around the edges due to its prominent mineral characteristic.
There's a slight evolution on the pallet from sort of a creamy, sweet beginning, that then transcends into a more lively herbaceous. And towards the very end, there's pepper spice, a little bit of Chilean paprika, and the juniper then all comes back towards the end. Overall, I could describe The Botanist as rather complex and nuanced dry gin whose notes remain well-integrated into each other. Likewise, the alcohol is perfectly woven in, even given its higher ABV.
07:01 The Botanist Gin Cocktails & Food Pairings
It's not very common that people would drink a gin like The Botanist straight, or even pure on ice, though I have to say I very much like to always try gins neat. I could perfectly imagine pouring this over ice with nothing else or perhaps with a small thyme or rosemary sprig in there.
For all the G&T lovers out there, this will make for a delicious gin and tonic. Depending on your preferences of sweetness or dryness, you would probably want to reach for Schweppes dry, a traditional Thomas Henry tonic water, Fever-Tree, or even the Fever-Tree Mediterranean.
Other than that, I'm huge fan of a Botanist dry martini cocktail, stirred in a ratio of six to one with a traditional dry vermouth like Noilly Prat and a green pitted olive as a garnish. Other cocktail recommendations could be a White Lady, a Ramos Gin Fizz, or a Hanky Panky.
Ideal food pairings for The Botanist include green olives on the side, just as a little nibble or snack, or even some dry, crispy breadsticks.
09:04 Cigar Pairings for The Botanis
n terms of cigar pairings, a classical Davidoff White Label, such as Signature 2000, would be perfect match. Generally, you wouldn't want a cigar that is too complex, too dark, or too roasted. Instead, opt for a stick with a Connecticut shade, Ecuadorian wrapper and, lighter, soft mellow body.
09:39 Value for Money
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is a great everyday rotational gin. You could keep it in your back bar and use it daily for your gin & tonics or dry martinis, whether you are alone, with loved ones, or with guests. The bottle has a perfect design; it looks nice, and tidy, and clean, minimal, but with a nice touch with the embossed botanicals here on the label.
For more resources on alcoholic spirits, check out our guide: bespokeunit.com/spirits
Already tried The Botanist Gin or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
In this video, Reinhard offers an in-depth review of The Botanist, an excellent gin made with 22 hand-picked botanicals from the isle of Islay.
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/spirits/botanist-gin
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about gin such as this Botanist Islay Dry Gin in our guide:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/gin
00:00 Introduction
For this review, Reinhard has used the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula, a quantifiable review matrix that you can use at home for your own tasting (and review!) purposes. For a PDF version of the completed formula for this video, visit the review link above.
00:28 Overview
The Botanist Gin from Bruichladdich Distillery on the isle of Islay, a juniper-forward expression with an overall herbaceous profile, is made using 22 different botanicals that are local to the region.
01:08 Robe & Appearance
When it comes to color, there is not much to say for a gin other than it's slightly hazy. The viscosity is thick and oily, even though the legs run down in a rather quick fashion. This gin is 46% VBA, so it's a bit stronger than the traditional 40%. This will give a bit more character, taking your classic gin and tonic or dry martini cocktail to another level.
03:25 The Botanist Gin's Nose
First of all, the nose has a strong juniper blast which is characteristic of a London dry style gin. There's not too much of a citric note as The Botanist is more herbaceous with a briny, maritime character.
I also detect some sweet herbs similar to a slightly bruised mint that has become dark and resinous. There are also notes of thyme, rosemary, and camomile.
04:53 Palate & Finish
The Botanist Dry Gin has a mellow beginning with a slight salty mineral character. This speaks a little to the overall provenance, and to the characteristic of where the distillery sits.
This is not your typical London dry style gin, indeed, it has sort of a Northern association with it. It's a bit rough around the edges due to its prominent mineral characteristic.
There's a slight evolution on the pallet from sort of a creamy, sweet beginning, that then transcends into a more lively herbaceous. And towards the very end, there's pepper spice, a little bit of Chilean paprika, and the juniper then all comes back towards the end. Overall, I could describe The Botanist as rather complex and nuanced dry gin whose notes remain well-integrated into each other. Likewise, the alcohol is perfectly woven in, even given its higher ABV.
07:01 The Botanist Gin Cocktails & Food Pairings
It's not very common that people would drink a gin like The Botanist straight, or even pure on ice, though I have to say I very much like to always try gins neat. I could perfectly imagine pouring this over ice with nothing else or perhaps with a small thyme or rosemary sprig in there.
For all the G&T lovers out there, this will make for a delicious gin and tonic. Depending on your preferences of sweetness or dryness, you would probably want to reach for Schweppes dry, a traditional Thomas Henry tonic water, Fever-Tree, or even the Fever-Tree Mediterranean.
Other than that, I'm huge fan of a Botanist dry martini cocktail, stirred in a ratio of six to one with a traditional dry vermouth like Noilly Prat and a green pitted olive as a garnish. Other cocktail recommendations could be a White Lady, a Ramos Gin Fizz, or a Hanky Panky.
Ideal food pairings for The Botanist include green olives on the side, just as a little nibble or snack, or even some dry, crispy breadsticks.
09:04 Cigar Pairings for The Botanis
n terms of cigar pairings, a classical Davidoff White Label, such as Signature 2000, would be perfect match. Generally, you wouldn't want a cigar that is too complex, too dark, or too roasted. Instead, opt for a stick with a Connecticut shade, Ecuadorian wrapper and, lighter, soft mellow body.
09:39 Value for Money
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is a great everyday rotational gin. You could keep it in your back bar and use it daily for your gin & tonics or dry martinis, whether you are alone, with loved ones, or with guests. The bottle has a perfect design; it looks nice, and tidy, and clean, minimal, but with a nice touch with the embossed botanicals here on the label.
For more resources on alcoholic spirits, check out our guide: bespokeunit.com/spirits
Already tried The Botanist Gin or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
