Based on the island of Islay, which forms part of the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, in the tiny hamlet of Nerabus, John and Audrey Gow established Isle of Islay Gin in 2018. The Gow’s aim was to create classic gins, including London Dry and Navy Strength gins with flavour profiles that combined classic gin botanicals with local island foraged botanicals.
David spent over 30 years working as a prolific biomedical and forensic scientist. Audrey had previously worked at a local distillery supporting the distillery’s exports and customer care. Combining their previous experience and careers, the opportunity to create their own range of spirits has allowed them to use these complementary skills.
Nerabus Heather Gin uses eight botanicals in the distillation including juniper, citrus, sweet almonds and foraged wild Islay Heather. Juniper led, the gin has notes of florals on the nose. On the palate juniper and florals, underpinned with some citrus and spice. The finish provides more citrus, florals and spice.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Heather
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Goes great with: A slice of lime, tonic and ice.
Nerabus Heather Navy Gin is based on the Nerabus Heather Gin, except bottled at the higher 57% ABV to create the higher ABV associated with the Navy Strength style of gin. Nerabus Heather Navy Gin uses eight botanicals in the distillation, including juniper, citrus, sweet almonds and foraged wild Islay Heather. Because of the higher ABV, flavours and aromas are amplified with distinct juniper, florals, herbaceous and citrus notes on the nose. On the palate, juniper leads with bright heather florals, underpinned with some citrus and spice. The finish provides more citrus, florals and spice.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Heather
Gin Style: Navy Strength
Strength: 57% vol
Goes great with: A slice of lime, tonic and ice.
Nerabus Gorse Gin uses nine botanicals in the distillation, including juniper, citrus, sweet almonds and foraged wild Islay Gorse. Juniper led the gin has distinct notes of florals and a subtle herbaceous and citrus on the nose. On the palate, juniper leads the way to light florals from gorse, and some spice comes through on the mid-palate, with subtle sweetness from the almonds and gorse. On the finish, some sweetness and spice.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Gorse
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of lemon, Mediterranean tonic and ice or neat over ice.
Nerabus Gorse Navy Gin is based on the Nerabus Gorse Gin, except bottled at the higher 57% ABV to create the higher ABV associated with the Navy Strength style of gin. Nerabus Gorse Navy Gin uses nine botanicals in the distillation including juniper, citrus, sweet almonds and foraged wild Islay Gorse. Because of the higher ABV flavours and aromas are amplified with distinct notes of juniper, florals, herbaceous and citrus on the nose. On the palate juniper leads the way to florals from the gorse, some spice comes through on the mid palate, with subtle sweetness from the use of almonds and gorse. On the finish some sweetness and spice.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Gorse
Gin Style: Navy Strength
Strength: 57% vol
Goes great with: A slice of lemon, Mediterranean tonic and ice or neat over ice.
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