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 a number of Hollywood movies have been shot on location here), but all of the above is true. So it’s of no surprise that in 2017 brothers Thomas and Alistair Wilson decided to escape the rat race and follow their dream of setting up the first commercial gin distillery on their home island of Skye.
Both accustomed to hard graft and long days, the brothers wanted to ensure their gins captured the true spirit of the landscape they had grown up around. Their bottle design represents the mountainous landscape and turbulent seas. Their label accurately shows The Black Cuillin, some of the most spectacular mountains in Britain, while the copper foil elements of the label are a nod to their gin stills.
A marriage of crystal clear spring waters from the Storr Lochs and the right balance of the finest botanicals. With juniper berries hand foraged from various wild locations around Skye and slowly distilled in copper pot stills, then vapour infused with botanicals.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Grains of Paradise, Orris Root, Liquorice Root, Black Cubebs, Lemon Peel
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 41.5% vol
Goes great with: Orange peel, Mediterranean tonic and ice.
A Scottish Gin created in memory of brothers Thomas and Alistair Wilson’s father Tommy. Tommy served in the Suez invasion and passed away in late August 2016. ‘Tommy’ is also a generic name and term of endearment for a soldier. For every bottle of Tommy’s gin sold, 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): Juniper, Poppy Seed, Coriander, Liquorice Root, Blaeberry, Sweet Orange
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 45% vol
Goes great with: Lemon peel, blueberries, tonic and ice.
Misty Isle Pink Old Tom Gin features a selection of fruity botanicals including pear, blackcurrants, raspberries and meadowsweet, all grown by the co-founders mother. Carefully distilled along with a selection of traditional gin botanicals, this Old Tom style gin provides a slightly sweeter flavour profile than a London Dry, with delicious bursts of fresh summer fruits.
Key Botanical(s): Pear, Blackcurrants, Raspberries
Gin Style: Old Tom
Strength: 41.5% vol
Goes great with: A few raspberries, tonic and ice.
Misty Isle Cill Targhlain Gin takes its name and inspiration from the Isle of Skye capital Portree. The village was originally known as Kiltaraglen or Cill Targhlain in Gaelic before it evolved into Portree, which translates to King’s Port after James V, King of Scotland visited in 1540. The gin uses a number of locally grown and foraged botanicals including juniper, angelica root, blueberries, coriander seed, meadowsweet stalks and sea orache from the shores of Loch Portree. The gin to taste has distinct and balanced notes of juniper with fresh berries, a slight earthy note and spice from the angelica and coriander, with a sharp saltiness in the aftertaste.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Blueberries, Sea Orache
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 42% vol
Goes great with: A twist of lemon peel, tonic and ice.
This seasonal gin brings together all the traditional festive flavours that you would associate with a mulled wine combined with a generous juniper hit. All the botanicals are all soaked in the rich, Italian Amarone red wine prior to distilling.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Cassia Bark, Orange, Lemon, Star Anise, Tonka Bean, Liquorice Root
Gin Style: Distilled
Strength: 41.5% vol
Goes great with: A slice of orange, a cinnamon stick, tonic and ice.
This Spookily Spiced Gin is said to be infused with the 'Spirits' of Skye. An old Skye tale tells of a 'Ghost Car', and rumoured 1934 Austin, that travels along the old road from Portree to Sligachan, appearing only in complete darkness. Witnesses claim that they've been forced to pull over allowing the Austin to overtake, before it simply vanishes into the dead of night. It is thought that the ghost driver was a local church minister, who lost his mind with guilt after having been involved in a fatal accident.
Key Botanical(s): Juniper, Hog Weed Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Orange, Cloves
Gin Style: London Dry
Strength: 40% vol
Goes great with: A slice of fresh orange, tonic and ice.
The Isle of Skye Distillery can be found in the island’s capital of Portree. The distillery is home to two traditional alembic style copper pot stills. All the distillation, bottling and labelling takes place at the distillery. Also located in the town is the Isle of Skye Distillers’ shop and gin school. The shop features a variety of spirits, of course including Misty Isle Gin and Tommy’s Gin, alongside a fine selection of Scottish Gins and handcrafted gifts. The gin school is situated to the rear of the shop and provides visitors with the chance to distil their own personalised Isle of Skye Gin under the watchful eye of Thomas or Alistair. Pick your own selection of botanicals, which you’ll distill in your own individual miniature copper pot still before bottling, naming and labelling your very own one-off Isle of Skye Gin.
Gin School: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: For enquiries and gin school group bookings visit the Isle of Skye Distillers website here
You can learn more about the maker by clicking the links below.
