The Isle of Bute is a picturesque island off Scotland’s West Coast. Small in size but big on scenery, the island is the inspiration behind the Isle of Bute Distillery and the Isle of Bute Gins. Like many Scottish Gin distilleries, the idea for the Isle of Bute Distillery came about when several friends were sailing around the island when the direction of the conversation turned to highlight the fact that there was no current distillery on the island.
Initially distilled at Merchant City Brewing Co. premises in Glasgow, the brand’s long-awaited return to Bute was complete in 2020 with the opening of a new distillery place which was home to a traditional 200 litre Alembic Copper Pot still used to distil the Isle of Bute Gins. A unique opportunity arose in 2022 that saw the business relocate to The Bute Yard Project, providing a dedicated distillery space, bar, cafe, and events space.
The world’s first Oyster gin. Charging the still with oysters, fresh from the Argyll Coast, to add a delicate maritime essence. This, when blended with a mix of citrus botanicals, creates a savoury gin which is a perfect pair to seafood and the ideal base to a martini.
Key Botanical(s): Oyster Shell, Juniper, Cucumber, Coriander
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: Cracked pepper, cucumber slice, light tonic and ice.
The glorious gorse flower, sourced exclusively from Mount Stuart, gives this gin a floral nose with hints of coconut and vanilla reminiscent of a summer’s day walk along the Argyll Coast.
Key Botanical(s): Gorse, Juniper, Grains of Paradise, Vanilla, Coconut
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: Fresh orange peel, light tonic and ice.
Distilled using wild heather flowers hand-picked on the Isle of Bute, Heather Gin has a vibrant floral nose and to taste a bright sweetness of pink grapefruit. A fine balance of citrus and floral, the pink grapefruit along with other classic gin botanicals creates a sweet, citrus finish.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Isle of Bute Purple Heather Flowers, Pink Grapefruit
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: A slice of pink grapefruit, tonic and ice.
Isle of Bute’s Island Gin takes its inspiration from its home on Isle of Bute. It is distilled in the heart of Rothesay using a traditional copper pot still in the brand’s new island distillery. On the nose, herbaceous, fruity and earthy. To taste, mint, pineapple and rosemary. A long, fresh and aromatic finish.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Pineapple, Rosemary, Basil
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: Light tonic, a slice of orange and ice.
Isle of Bute Oaked Gin is distilled using a variety of traditional gin botanicals including juniper, coriander and citrus. Aged Scottish Whisky barrels were broken down into wood chips and placed in the gin still’s botanical basket in the head of the still. As the gin is distilled the vapours from the gin are pulled up through the head of the still and through the basket drawing out some of the flavours from the wood chips. The result is a Scottish Gin that is still a gin in terms of flavour but also includes subtle hints of vanilla, pine and sandalwood from the oak wood chips.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Oris Root, Vanilla, Oak Wood Chips
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 43% vol
Goes great with: Neat over ice or with a slice of orange, tonic and ice.
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