On Scotland’s Isle of Islay, forager Kate Hannett helps shape The Botanist Gin through a deep, seasonal relationship with the land. Working across peat bogs, coastal grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands, she gathers 22 hand-foraged botanicals, including heather, bog myrtle, and meadowsweet, that define the gin’s distinctive flavour. Produced by Bruichladdich Distillery, the spirit reflects a wider philosophy of terroir, sustainability, and biodiversity stewardship. Foraging here is as much about observation as harvesting, with plants carefully monitored and gathered in tune with natural cycles. Together, this approach captures Islay’s ecological richness, translating its landscapes, seasons, and scents into a spirit deeply rooted in place.
