The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Gin Debuts in the UK at 50% ABV

After making its debut in the US last year, The Botanist Distiller’s Strength has finally landed in the UK—and it’s worth the wait. Bottled at a bold 50% ABV, this super-premium Islay gin was designed with bartenders in mind. With richer oils, deeper flavour, and a velvety texture, it’s crafted to shine in cocktails like the Negroni while staying true to its wild, botanical roots.

The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Gin

Bruichladdich Distillery, the Islay-based home of The Botanist, has expanded its innovation footprint by officially releasing The Botanist Distiller’s Strength in the UK. The new expression first launched in the US in 2023 and has now been introduced to the UK via The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, and Hedonism Wine & Spirits, priced around £39.50 (US$53).

This higher-strength version—crafted at 50% ABV—is packed with flavour and texture. Developed to cater to professional bartenders, the expression offers a more powerful base for crafting balanced, bold gin-forward cocktails.

• Full Product Name: The Botanist Distiller’s Strength
• Brand: The Botanist
• Category: Super Premium Gin
• Country: Scotland
• Region: Islay
• Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 50%
• Botanicals: 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals
• Launch Date (UK): July 2025
• Price: £39.50 / US$53
• Availability: UK (The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, Hedonism Wine & Spirits), previously launched in the US

Tasting Notes:

Created for elevated mixology, this gin layers flavour, structure, and natural oils like never before.

• Appearance: Clear and bright with a hint of viscosity in the glass
• Nose: Bursting with juniper, wild herbs, citrus peels, and floral complexity
• Palate: Bold and balanced; delivers intense herbal freshness, citrus zest, and earthy spice
• Finish: Long, oily, and rounded with lingering notes of mint and chamomile

Key Highlights:

The Botanist Distiller’s Strength pushes boundaries while staying grounded in Islay’s terroir and tradition.

• Developed specifically for bartenders and serious gin enthusiasts
• Bottled at 50% ABV to enhance flavour oils and texture
• Uses the same 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals as the original
• Ideal for cocktails like the Negroni, Martini, and Gin Old Fashioned
• Reflects Bruichladdich’s whisky tradition of full-strength bottling
• Part of a focused innovation strategy to grow The Botanist’s core appeal
• From the UK’s fourth most popular whisky distillery, rated by visitors

Final Overview:

Industry insiders are already praising the expression for its clarity, power, and precision.

“It’s still unmistakably The Botanist, just supercharged,” said one bartender at a UK launch event.

This release strengthens The Botanist’s super-premium standing—ranked fourth globally in volume and value according to IWSR 2023—and shows Bruichladdich’s growing influence in gin, not just whisky.

FAQs:

Q1: How is Distiller’s Strength different from the original Botanist Gin?
It shares the same 22 botanicals but is bottled at 50% ABV for bolder flavour and richer texture.

Q2: Where can I buy it in the UK?
Available at The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, and Hedonism Wine & Spirits.

Q3: Is it meant only for bartenders?
Not at all. While it’s designed with cocktails in mind, any gin lover can enjoy its extra punch neat or on the rocks.