The Isle of Skye is an island landscape famous for dinosaurs, giants, ancient castles and fairies. You might think this was a plot for a Hollywood blockbuster (and several Hollywood movies have been shot on location here), but folklore, nature and history is ingrained in Isle of Skye landscape. It’s perhaps no surprise that in 2016, the Wilson brothers, Thomas and Alistair, born and raised on the Isle of Skye, inspired by the island they called home decided to escape the rat race and follow their dream of setting up the first commercial gin distillery on their home island of Skye.
Thomas had served in the British Armed Forces in the Parachute Regiment, following in his father’s footsteps, who was also in the armed forces and had built a thriving construction company. Younger brother Alistair had worked in hospitality management, running several successful venues across Scotland. With the emergence of Scottish Gin and the growing number of island based distilleries, the brothers saw a unique opportunity to focus their energy and love of Skye by establishing a distillery that would produce premium Scottish spirits that respected and promoted the Isle of Skye’s many unique values. Scottish spirits, including their Misty Isle range of Scottish Gins, that captured the true spirit of the landscape they knew through flavours, aromas, branding and packaging.
The bespoke Isle of Skye Distillers bottle captures elements of the island, including the ripples from the famous ‘Fairy Pools’, lochs and coastal waters. The Isle of Skye in Scots Gaelic is proudly embossed on the front of the bottle, and a hidden map of the island can be found on the bottom. The bespoke stopper features the company logo embossed in copper, the same colour as the traditional alembic copper pot stills used for production.
The Isle of Skye Distillers distillery is located in Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye. The distillery is home to three traditional alembic copper pot stills where all the Isle of Skye Distillers spirits are produced. All bottling and labelling also take place at the distillery. While the distillery itself is not open to members of the public due to production and safety reasons, the Isle of Skye Distillers have a bottle shop in the centre of Portree. The shop stocks a wide range of premium craft spirits, beers and drinks. Isle of Skye Distillers also own and operate the Misty Bottle Shop in Breakish which stocks a wide range of premium craft spirits, beers and drinks.
Thomas and Alister are currently finalising plans for Portree’s first whisky distillery which will be the brand home for all the spirits produced by the Isle of Skye Distillers. The new distillery will offer a range of tours and visitors experiences and is due to open in 2026.
Misty Isle Classically Aromatic Gin from Isle of Skye Distillers is a marriage of crystal clear spring waters from the Storr Lochs and a carefully selected selection of classic gin botanicals. Locally hand foraged juniper is combined with coriander, angelica, orris, grains of paradise, lemon peel and a few other botanicals including a secret botanical only found on the Isle of Skye. The gin is created using traditional open flame alembic copper pot stills and goes through a distillation process that includes distillation to capture bold and bright flavours, along with vapour infusion, which helps capture the delicate, lighter flavours and aromas. On the nose piney juniper with aromatic spices a fresh hint of citrus. On the palate notes of juniper and warming spice with an earthy, natural undertone. On the finish delivers hints of lemon and citrus with a bright, refreshing and drying lemon sherbet note.
The Gin Cooperative Awards for Misty Isle Classically Aromatic Gin include:
• Bronze - Industry Judges Award 2023
• Bronze - Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2022
Key Botanical(s): Black Cubebs, Juniper, Lemon Peel
Gin Style: Distilled Scottish Gin
Strength: 41.5% ABV
Goes great with: Orange peel, Mediterranean tonic and ice.
Misty Isle Fruity & Floral Gin from Isle of Skye Distillers, an Old Tom style of gin, features a selection of fruit botanicals including pear, blackcurrants, raspberries and meadowsweet all grown by the co-founders mother in her garden. These botanicals are carefully distilled along with a number of classic gin botanicals including juniper. The gin is slightly sweet thanks to use of the fruit which is left to soak in the alcohol for a week prior to distillation, infusing bright fruit flavours and subtle floral notes across the nose, palate and finish.
Key Botanical(s): Blackcurrants, Pear, Raspberries
Gin Style: Old Tom Scottish Gin
Strength: 41.5% ABV
Goes great with: A few raspberries, tonic and ice.
Misty Isle Salty & Sweet Gin from Isle of Skye Distillers uses a number of locally grown and foraged botanicals including juniper, angelica root, blueberries, coriander seed, meadowsweet stalks and sea orache form the shores of Loch Portree. On the nose juniper and fresh hedgerow wild berries are balanced with coastal notes. On the palate piney juniper, fresh wild berries and a subtle, earthy note and gentle spice. On the finish a distinct saline coastal note tempered with green herbaceous notes.
The Gin Cooperative Awards for Misty Isle Salty & Sweet Gin include:
• Silver - Community Judges Award 2023
• Bronze - Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023
Key Botanical(s): Blueberries, Juniper, Sea Orache
Gin Style: Distilled Scottish Gin
Strength: 42% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, tonic and ice.
Tommy’s Gin from Isle of Skye Distillers was created to honour the memory of brothers Thomas and Alistair Wilson’s father, Tommy who sadly passed away in 2016. Tommy served in the Armed Forces for several years and was involved in the invasion of Suez and other global conflicts. ‘Tommy’ is also a generic name and term of endearment for a soldier. Botanicals in Tommys Gin include poppy seeds, blueberries and orange peel, juniper, and other classic gin botanicals. On the nose, palate and finish, hints of sweet floral poppies are balanced with a subtle hint of liquorice, oranges and tart berries.
Tommy’s Gin was one of the first gins in the UK to use poppy seeds as a botanical and is also a nod to the poppy flower, which is associated with Remembrance Day, a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. The poppy flower has become a symbol of hope for a peaceful future after many battlefields after World War 1 returned to nature, with millions of poppies appearing from the once scarred and bloodied landscape. For every bottle of Tommy’s gin sold, some proceeds are donated to local Military Charities. The label artwork was inspired by the Commando memorial, near Spean Bridge, which the distillery delivery van drives past every week.
Key Botanical(s): Blaeberry, Juniper, Poppy Seeds
Gin Style: Distilled Scottish Gin
Strength: 45% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, blueberries, tonic and ice.
Misty Isle Mulled Spiced Gin, a seasonal release from Isle of Skye Distillers, uses a unique maceration process to amp up the festive flavours. All the botanicals are left to macerate and soak in a rich Italian Amarone red wine before being distilled. This process allows the botanicals to take on some of the characteristics of the wine, adding additional layers of complexity, flavour and aroma to the final liquid. On the nose, bright and festival spices and aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and rich red wine. On the palate, juniper is present, surrounded by vibrant, warming spices balanced with fruit and Christmas cake notes. Rich notes of Christmas spices, nuts, and marzipan develop on the long, lingering finish.
Key Botanical(s): Lemon and Orange Peels, Star Anise, Tonka Bean
Gin Style: Distilled Scottish Gin
Strength: 41.5% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of orange, a cinnamon stick, tonic and ice.
Misty Isle Spookily Spiced Gin, a seasonal, limited edition release from Isle of Sky Distillers, celebrates the mystery of a local Isle of Skye legend. The old tale tells of a 1934 Austin Ghost Car that is said to travel on the old road from Portree to Sligachan and only appears on the darkest of stormy nights when the car appears from nowhere, forcing drivers to pull over on the road to allow the ghost car to overtake before it vanishes into the dead of night. The car is said to have belonged to a local farm worker who was rushing home to his wife and was killed when his vehicle crashed into the bridge at Sligachan. Witnesses of the ghost car included police officers and doctors. However, sightings in recent years have become scarce as most motorists use the main road between Portree and Sligachan.
With its unique flavour profile, Misty Isle Spookily Spiced Gin offers a sensory journey. The nose is greeted with the inviting aroma of pumpkin and vanilla, while the palate is treated to a delightful blend of spiced pumpkin, rich and balanced spice notes, and a sweet, creamy vanilla note with a hint of oranges. The experience culminates in a medium finish, leaving behind layers of winter spice and citrus.
Key Botanical(s): Cloves, Pumpkin Seeds, Orange Peel
Gin Style: Distilled Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of orange, tonic and ice.
Isle of Skye Distillers distillery features three 100-litre traditional alembic copper pot stills used to produce all the spirits made by the Isle of Skye Distillers, with all distillation, bottling and production taking place at the distillery, located in the Isle of Skye capital of Portree. The distillery is not open to members of the public. However, the Isle of Skye Distillers are currently in the process of constructing a new distillery for their Scottish Gin and future whisky production that will offer a range of visitor experiences once construction is completed.
Learn more about Isle of Skye Distillers by visiting the links below.
