Good spirits: how a tiny island distillery created this progressive gin 

On the remote Scottish island of Islay, March doesn't just herald the arrival of spring. As the season starts to even out into longer, brighter days, the foragers of  Bruichladdich Distillery take to the open moorland and heather-blanketed hills to seek the island's bounty. Over the next six months they'll pick 22 botanicals including gorse, camomile and white clover from this rugged landscape, which will join a number of other ingredients in a slow distillation process. The result? The Botanist, a carefully crafted premium spirit that is also leading the charge with a forward-thinking approach to conservation, community and the environment.

From our choice of travel destination to the beauty products we use, sustainability is now a leading factor in many of the buying decisions we make. Although most of us are familiar with eco-friendly dining (think chic zero-waste restaurants and seasonal dishes), sustainable alcohol is yet to become commonplace in the UK. In this respect, The Botanist is a trailblazer as the first UK gin to receive coveted B Corp certification, which recognises businesses that go above and beyond to make a positive impact. The brand has been accredited since May 2020, an acknowledgement of its achievements in both social and environmental spheres – and a signal to eco-conscious consumers that they're in safe hands. 

Established in 1881, Bruichladdich Distillery has refocused on reconnecting people, planet and spirits since 2001; a mission that led directly to the creation of The Botanist in 2010. Its unique approach steers the way it engages with communities on its island home and beyond. Despite the additional costs of running a business from an island, the distillery offers a wide range of jobs. Opportunities in everything from communications and HR to retail and bottling are available within the distillery gates for those who want to develop a career without leaving the island. 

Additionally, The Botanist Foundation gives bursaries to a number of local projects. Young people can apply to further their education in relevant studies; a sensory garden has been developed at Islay High School to support pupils, especially those with additional needs; a pollinator programme has been created to sow native wildflowers in places such as roadside verges; and the distillery has even partially funded a PHD with the aim of discovering how best to manage threatened local juniper. The Botanist also supports biodiversity further afield in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Projects include tree-planting initiatives and conservation schemes in South Africa, Uganda, Hawaii and Mexico. 

For the gin itself, foraged ingredients are gathered by hand to an original recipe. Care is taken to avoid harvesting too much from one area or damaging the natural ecosystem. Even the still used to make The Botanist – affectionately nicknamed Ugly Betty – is a lesson in reusing and recycling. Traditionally used to make whisky, this pot-bellied Lomond still was found abandoned but was lovingly modified rather than consigned to the scrapheap.

The Botanist isn't just a feel-good purchase: it's a smart one, too. Whether you're a gin aficionado or new to the spirit, this is a bottle you'll want in your bar. The pure water from the island's spring is used in the base maceration of nine berries, barks, seeds and peels, before being infused with 22 foraged botanicals in the neck of the still. Balanced and complex, the nose has a green, herbal freshness with traces of citrus, distinctive juniper and aromas of mint, thyme and earthy coriander. On first sip, you'll notice the satin-smooth body, and each subsequent taste reveals a little more of those delicate, layered flavours: sweet and earthy notes meet delicate florals and citrus to create an exceptionally versatile spirit. Harmonious and distinctive, it's the essence of Islay in a bottle.

As well as foraging season on Islay, March also marks B Corp Month: a time to celebrate the efforts of companies such as Bruichladdich Distillery who use their business as a force for good. We'll raise a dry martini – made with The Botanist, of course – to that.

Celebrate B Corp month with The Botanist Gin and Gladwin Brothers throughout March. Find out more on The Botanist and B Corp at TheBotanist.com