Rummy story – Islay does Gin

And it’s the ever-inventive Bruichladdich Distillery, of course.

You’ll remember that, back in February this year we published an article on a historic still – Ugly Betty – which had been restored and returned to join the distilling fleet at Bruichladdich’s Islay fastness.

Now Ugly Betty has delivered a fragrant present to the island best known for its legendary single malt whiskies – the first gin to be distilled on Islay.

Bruichladdich has distilled a genuine, artisanal Islay gin and, never behind in invention, a gin flavoured by an unprecedented 31 botanicals. 22 of the these were harvested from Islay – including a rare subspecies of juniper – before being distilled in this unique and historic still.

You can see her if you follow the link above – but Ugly Betty (beauty is in the eye of the ginned-up beholder), the original and only Lomond still, was in active use for the first time in 30 years. Saved from a scrap yard the still was specially adapted for the infusion of botanicals by alcohol vapour in her neck.

Running at an exceptionally low pressure, Ugly Betty ran for a surprising 15 hours at a steady, gentle simmer, producing maximum flavour and texture.

Dr Richard and Mary Gulliver researched, located and harvested the Islay botanicals before a final selection for inclusion was made by Mr McEwan.

For centuries, clandestine Hebridean distillers used local botanicals – such as bog myrtle and juniper, to improve the taste of poorly distilled whisky:  a 17th century distiller’s book recommends several  botanicals for ‘usquebaugh’.

Illicit whisky 300 years ago probably tasted more like gin than single malt.

Jim McEwan says: ‘I was bit apprehensive because Ugly Betty and I hadn’t danced together before, but I was confident we could pull it off (an imaginatively enticing mixed metaphor). You form relationships with stills because they all perform differently – some are cantankerous and others are easy. In the end this one went like a Rolls Royce.

‘This is no re-badged, centrally-produced, gin. It has real Islay provenance, authenticity – even historical precedence.  It has an amazing flavour with a dryness that comes from a spirit distilled exclusively with botanicals – no essences, oils, flavourings or sweeteners. We are rather proud of this’.

Bruichladdich’s MD, Mark Reynier says: ‘A unique still with Islay botanicals and an inquisitive mind – this is progressive Hebridean distilling’.

2,500 cases (6/1) of the first release will be bottled at Bruichladdich at 46% with Islay spring water, with out chill-filtration, and will be available from the end of September. It is expected to retail at around £29.

Watch this space – and be warned: if we get to it before you do, our typo rate will also be distilled beyond normal proof.