The Isle of Raasay Distillery Gin is the first legal spirit from Raasay, an island rooted in centuries of illicit distilling that is set to also have its own inaugural single malt whisky in 2020.
The wonderful views from the distillery site. Picture: Raasay
The new handcrafted gin was launched at a special event on the island and is distilled in a Frilli copper pot still using an expert blend of ten botanicals.
The Raasay Distillery team say the result is a "complex but well balanced" dry gin with a lasting aftertaste "encapsulating Raasay’s style, character and impressive geological variety".
Local botanist Dr Stephen Bungard and Fiona Williamson, MSc scholar at Herriot Watt, who knows Raasay well having worked a summer season at the distillery in 2018, worked with the distillery staff to perfect the recipe which features rhubarb root, lemon and orange peel, coriander seeds and cubeb pepper, as well as triple distilled Raasay spirit.
The distillery team check out the new gin during production. Picture: Raasay
Isle of Raasay Distillery Co-founder Alasdair Day commented: “Our new Isle of Raasay Gin puts island quality first – combining carefully chosen botanicals with water from our well and triple distilled Raasay spirit.
“Raasay’s remarkable geology and our modern island distillery inspired both the creation and presentation of our exciting new Scottish gin that we look forward to sharing with the growing number of visitors to Raasay and gin lovers alike.”
Nose: Fresh and aromatic, with juniper, citrus and a hint of rhubarb.
Palate: Dry with a burst of juniper, orange and a richer rhubarb note.
Finish: Dry and zesty.Perfect serve: Orange zest strips. Isle of Raasay Gin is made for mixing in traditional G&Ts usingFever-Tree’s Premium Indian Tonic, or in your favourite cocktail.
