The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Islay Gin takes the distinctive botanical character of The Botanist and presents it at a more powerful 50% ABV.
Produced at Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay, this higher-strength expression uses the same signature combination of 22 hand-foraged island botanicals. The increased strength gives the gin greater flavour intensity, a richer mouthfeel and enough presence to remain clearly defined in classic cocktails.
Juniper, citrus and warming spices provide its foundation, while wild Islay ingredients including mint, sweet gale, thyme, wood sage and clover introduce the fresh herbal complexity for which The Botanist is known.
Distilled at Bruichladdich on Islay
The Botanist is produced at Bruichladdich Distillery on the southwestern coast of Islay, overlooking Loch Indaal.
Founded in 1881, Bruichladdich is best known for its Islay single malt whisky. Following the distillery’s revival in 2001, its expertise in distillation eventually inspired the creation of The Botanist, the first Islay dry gin.
Rather than simply recreating a conventional London dry style, the team looked to the island itself for inspiration. Islay’s mild climate, wetlands, moorland, woodland and coastal environment support an unusually varied collection of wild plants, many of which could be used to give the gin a genuine connection to its place of origin.
What Is Distiller’s Strength Gin?
Distiller’s Strength is a higher-alcohol expression of The Botanist, bottled at 50% ABV rather than the 46% ABV of the original The Botanist Islay Dry Gin.
The additional strength is not simply intended to make the gin more powerful. It gives the spirit greater viscosity and helps carry more of its juniper, citrus, spice, floral and herbal flavours across the palate.
This makes Distiller’s Strength especially effective in cocktails. Ingredients such as vermouth, bitters, tonic water, citrus and dilution can soften a standard gin, but the 50% ABV bottling retains its distinctive botanical character throughout the drink.
The expression draws on Bruichladdich’s experience of bottling spirits at higher strength in pursuit of texture and flavour.
Made with 22 Hand-Foraged Islay Botanicals
At the heart of The Botanist are 22 wild botanicals gathered sustainably from across Islay.
These local ingredients include plants such as:
- Apple mint
- Water mint
- Sweet gale
- Wild thyme
- Wood sage
- Hawthorn
- Sweet cicely
- Clover
The hand-foraged plants are combined with nine more familiar gin botanicals drawn from berries, barks, seeds and citrus peels. Juniper, coriander, cinnamon and citrus provide structure, while the Islay botanicals contribute layers of mint, flowers, herbs and gentle woodland character.
This produces 31 botanicals in total, but only the 22 native Islay ingredients are hand-foraged on the island.
The plants are collected carefully and seasonally rather than harvested all at once. This allows each botanical to be gathered when its aroma and flavour are at their most expressive while helping protect the island’s biodiversity.
Slowly Distilled for Greater Texture
The Botanist is distilled using a reclaimed and modified Lomond still known as Ugly Betty.
Originally designed as an experimental combination of pot and column distillation, the still was recovered when another distillery was being dismantled. It was restored and adapted at Bruichladdich to create a particularly slow and gentle gin distillation.
This slow process helps capture the more delicate aromas of the hand-foraged Islay plants without allowing the stronger botanicals to overpower them.
The resulting spirit is known for its smooth, almost satin-like texture. Bottling Distiller’s Strength at 50% ABV increases that weight and viscosity, creating a gin that feels richer without losing the floral and herbal detail of the original expression.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet juniper, coriander and warming spice open alongside fresh citrus. Mint, sweet gale and wild thyme introduce a delicate herbal character, supported by cinnamon and aromatic flowers.
Palate: Rich and velvety with fragrant juniper, earthy spice and sweet citrus. Layers of mint, herbs and wild flowers gradually emerge, with the higher strength bringing greater intensity and a luxurious mouthfeel.
Finish: Long and powerful, gradually revealing soft juniper, citrus, water mint, wood sage, clover and gentle floral notes.
Perfect for Cocktails or Sipping
The Botanist Distiller’s Strength has been designed to deliver increased flavour in cocktails, but its smooth texture also makes it enjoyable in simpler serves.
Enjoy it:
- With premium tonic water and plenty of ice
- Lengthened with chilled soda water
- In a classic Dry Martini
- In a Negroni
- In a Gimlet
- In a Tom Collins
- In citrus and herb-led cocktails
- Over ice with a small amount of water
The higher strength works particularly well in stirred cocktails, where dilution gradually opens the gin’s citrus, herbal and floral notes.
Fresh garnishes should be used carefully. A small sprig of rosemary, thyme or mint can complement the Islay botanicals, but too much garnish can overpower the gin’s more delicate flavours.
The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Negroni
The Negroni is one of the best cocktails for demonstrating the extra power of this 50% ABV gin.
Ingredients
- 30ml The Botanist Distiller’s Strength
- 30ml red Italian bitter
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- Orange peel
- Ice
Method
- Fill a mixing glass approximately two-thirds full with ice.
- Add the gin, red bitter and sweet vermouth.
- Stir until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over one large cube of ice.
- Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink.
- Garnish with the peel.
The stronger gin remains clearly present beside the vermouth and bitter aperitivo, producing a bold but balanced Negroni with juniper, orange, herbs and warming spice.
How to Make a Distiller’s Strength Gin and Tonic
A simple gin and tonic allows the spirit’s texture and botanical complexity to remain at the centre of the drink.
Ingredients
- 50ml The Botanist Distiller’s Strength
- 100ml to 150ml premium tonic water
- Plenty of ice
- Grapefruit peel, lemon peel or a fresh herb garnish
Method
- Fill a large glass completely with ice.
- Add the gin.
- Pour in the tonic water slowly.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish lightly with citrus peel or a complementary herb.
Begin with 100ml of tonic for a more flavourful, gin-led serve. Additional tonic can then be added according to taste.
The Botanist Distiller’s Strength vs Original The Botanist
Both expressions use The Botanist’s signature 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals, but they provide noticeably different drinking experiences.
| The Botanist Islay Dry Gin | The Botanist Distiller’s Strength |
|---|---|
| 46% ABV | 50% ABV |
| Delicate and balanced | More intense and full-bodied |
| Satin-smooth texture | Richer, more viscous texture |
| Floral, herbal and citrus-led | Stronger juniper, spice and citrus |
| Excellent in a G&T or Martini | Particularly effective in bold cocktails |
| Approachable all-round gin | Designed for greater flavour impact |
The original The Botanist Islay Dry Gin remains an excellent choice for drinkers who prefer a softer, more delicate profile.
Distiller’s Strength is better suited to those looking for additional weight, intensity and botanical definition.
Explore More The Botanist Gin at HTFW
The wider Botanist collection offers several ways to explore the distillery’s Islay botanical character:
- The Botanist Islay Dry Gin – the original 46% ABV expression made with 22 hand-foraged botanicals.
- The Botanist Islay Cask Rested Gin – rested for at least six months in selected casks, adding oak spice, dried fruit and greater richness.
- The Botanist Islay Dry Gin Glass Pack – the original gin presented with branded glassware.
- Explore the complete Botanist collection.
The Cask Rested expression brings Bruichladdich’s whisky-making expertise further into the gin range, combining the 22 Islay botanicals with sweet oak, citrus, warming spice and dried fruit.
Explore More Premium and Higher-Strength Gin
Drinkers who enjoy the stronger botanical profile of Distiller’s Strength can also discover:
- Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, a complex German gin made with 47 botanicals and bottled at 47% ABV.
- No. 3 London Dry Gin Glass Pack, a classic juniper-led gin bottled at 46% ABV.
- James Gin Asian Parsnip Navy Strength, a powerful 57% ABV gin with earthy parsnip and Asian spice.
- Browse the complete premium gin collection.
Why The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Stands Out
The Botanist Distiller’s Strength offers:
- Production at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay
- A higher 50% ABV bottling strength
- 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals
- Nine additional classic gin botanicals
- A complex combination of juniper, citrus, herbs and flowers
- Slow distillation in the unique Ugly Betty Lomond still
- A rich, velvety mouthfeel
- Greater flavour intensity in cocktails
- A distinctive connection to Islay’s landscape
- Excellent versatility in Martinis, Negronis and gin and tonics
It is an excellent choice for experienced gin drinkers, cocktail enthusiasts and anyone looking for a bolder interpretation of The Botanist.
Why Buy The Botanist Distiller’s Strength at HTFW?
Hard To Find Whisky stocks an extensive selection of premium gin alongside rare whisky, rum, tequila, vodka and collectable spirits from around the world.
Customers ordering from HTFW benefit from:
- Authentic spirits from established producers
- Secure, purpose-designed packaging
- Same-day dispatch on qualifying orders placed before 4:30pm
- UK and worldwide delivery options
- Free personalised gift messages
- A family-run UK spirits specialist trading since 1991
- A Birmingham retail store for in-person shopping
The 70cl bottle is currently available at 50% ABV and is supplied unboxed.
Final Thoughts
The Botanist Distiller’s Strength takes everything that makes the original Islay dry gin distinctive and presents it with greater intensity.
Its 22 hand-foraged island botanicals remain at the centre of the experience, but the higher 50% ABV gives the juniper, citrus, herbs and spices more weight and definition. The result is rich, aromatic and impressively smooth, with enough power to stand out in even the most flavourful cocktails.
Whether used in a Martini, Negroni or carefully made gin and tonic, Distiller’s Strength demonstrates how higher alcohol can enhance texture and flavour when supported by balanced distillation and thoughtfully selected botanicals.
Ready to discover the bolder side of Islay gin?
Shop The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Islay Gin now at HTFW.
