Dreaming of a seaside holiday? We’ve got the next best thing: an exquisite bottle of craft gin from the Isle of Bute off the west coast of Scotland. Subtle and sophisticated, it’s the world’s first ever oyster gin, made using premium Scottish oyster shells as a botanical. Craft Gin Club’s panel of experts selected Isle of Bute Oyster Gin to be June’s Discovery Gin.
What exactly is a Discovery Gin? In addition to the Gin of the Month boxes Craft Gin Club sends its members, a committee of experts chooses a gin to satisfy gin drinkers with a taste for adventure. This June, Isle of Bute Oyster Gin will be featured on the Craft Gin Club online shop to give gin fans across the UK a taste of this delicious maritime spirit.
June 2021 Discovery Gin
Isle of Bute Oyster Gin
Tasting Notes
Subtle, sophisticated and savoury, this gin blends the delicate maritime essence of Scottish oyster shells with citrus. Deeply refreshing on the nose with an ultra-smooth mouthfeel on palate, on the finish it leaves a soft impression of brine.
Key Botanicals
Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Lemon, Lime, Loch Fyne Oyster Shells, Nori Seaweed
43% ABV
Meet the Makers
With ancient ruins and quaint harbours shrouded in sea mist, the beautiful Isle of Bute has long been a well-kept secret of Scottish locals.
Head Distiller Simon and Co-Founders Rhona and Jack
Rhona Madigan-Wheatley, who co-founded Isle of Bute Gin distillery with her partner Jack, says, “As soon as you mention the Isle of Bute to people in the West Coast of Scotland, their faces light up. Everyone has a story about jumping in a car or caravan with their family and friends and going there in the summer, and so many people have the fondest memories of the island – there’s a real sense of nostalgia.”
When Rhona ran into Simon Tardivel, a distiller and brewer who was living on the Isle of Bute, she was keen to hear his ideas for a gin. Jack and Rhona had long harboured dreams of opening their own gin distillery, and this felt like fate giving them a nudge.
Over coffee with Simon, they chatted about how they could create gins that would show people what it’s like to step off the ferry on to Bute and discover a world full of oceanic scents, sounds and sights. That’s when inspiration struck.
“We wanted something that would give our gin that maritime essence, and after exploring a few options we settled on Loch Fyne Oyster shells, harvested from Argyll coast seawater. Loch Fyne Oysters are world-renowned, and it made complete sense to use them as a botanical.”
While distillers around the world were starting to experiment with seaweed and marine ingredients, no one had made an oyster gin before, so they were in uncharted territory.
“We always describe Simon as the Mad Hatter of distillers. He will literally try anything in the still at least once. Oysters are certainly not the strangest thing he’s distilled – just the strangest one we ended up sharing with the world.”
Deliciously savoury, and incredibly moreish in Martinis and G&Ts, the spirit was destined to become the most popular in the Isle of Bute Distillery range. For chefs across Scotland and beyond, it’s the perfect aperitif to compliment gourmet seafood. Soon enough bottles of Isle of Bute Oyster Gin made their way to restaurants across the UK.
It also began attracting gin lovers from far and wide to the island, interested in seeing the place that inspired such a unique spirit.
Rhona says, “Tourism and hospitality present big opportunities for island communities – it’s something that creates jobs and encourages people to stay on the island. It plays a big role in supporting the local economy, and we’re so excited to think our gins and distillery might mean more people travel to and discover Bute.”
Jack nods, “By the end of 2021 we’ll be moving our distillery into Bute Yard, a farm-house style structure where artisan food and drinks businesses will come together to showcase the best of Bute.”
Until you can visit the Isle of Bute for yourself, crack open a bottle of Isle of Bute Oyster Gin and explore its sophisticated flavours.
How to Drink Isle of Bute Oyster Gin
Isle of Bute Oyster Gin & Tonic
50ml Isle of Bute Oyster Gin
200ml high-quality tonic water
Slice of pink grapefruit or mango and peppers, to garnish
Method
Add all your ingredients to a highball or copa glass with ice and stir and garnish.
Bute Martini
50ml Isle of Bute Oyster Gin
12.5ml fino sherry
Pinch of salt
Seaweed to garnish (optional)
Method
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir. Fine strain into a chilled martini glass to serve.
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