Released in time for Christmas, The Botanist Plant Conservation Edition features the same exceptional liquid as The Botanist Islay Dry Gin with 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals that are distilled slowly in a uniquely modified still. It is the first Islay Dry Gin, and a rare expression of the heart and soul of the remote Scottish island of Islay. In a category awash with synthesised and homogeneous flavours, The Botanist – which is made at one of the only distilleries in the world to be B Corp certified – stands out for both the brand’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable production, as well as impeccable taste.

The limited edition Plant Conservation Edition is not just an exceptional gin, but it also symbolises a deeper philosophy for the socially-conscious brand that places foraging at its heart. The Botanist is a gin that relies on plants in its production and, through this interest, believes in the necessity of supporting biodiversity and conservation work.

Biodiversity and The Botanist

Biodiversity provides the foundation for all human life. From the food we eat to the water we drink, it all relies on a healthy ecosystem, and loss of biodiversity can weaken this. Thus, The Botanist has committed to protecting plant biodiversity and conservation practices since its inception. In 2015, the distillery set up The Botanist Foundation to promote sustainability, biodiversity and conservation. The foundation has since funded local and international projects that do vital work in this field such as the Global Botanic Garden Fund, which boosts funding for smaller gardens in developing countries and biodiversity hot spots.

This holiday season marks the second year of a three-year partnership with the BGCI. With gardens in all corners of the earth, the money raised by these bottles will provide essential funding to a number of locations such as the San Francisco Botanical Garden in the United States, who are attempting to conserve rare magnolias through grafting, as well as working with extremely rare trees endemic to India and Canada. The unique label and capsule design of the bottle is inspired by the rare flora that the project is helping to save, including cloud forest orchids in Mexico and endangered cinnamon trees (Cinnamomum chemungianum) in India. The pack also includes a plant naming tag which encourages consumers to get to know their plants at home.

Douglas Taylor, CEO of the Bruichladdich Distillery Company, makers of The Botanist, and Chairman of The Botanist Foundation comments, “Biodiversity is at the heart of The Botanist. Our botanicals are hand-foraged sustainably to protect our Hebridean home so we understand a little of the work that the BGCI is doing globally to protect the world’s biodiversity. The partnership is a deep-rooted and important one that gives us all a chance to leave a positive legacy and we hope the Plant Conservation Edition is at the top of every conscious gin lover’s gift list this Christmas.”

Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of BCGI, added, “Our partnership with The Botanist is an exciting and vital one that puts our mission in the homes and on the bars of gin-lovers across the globe. Every moment we’re making strides towards our biodiversity goals, but with the support of The Botanist those strides get bigger and more purposeful every day. The Plant Conservation Edition is the perfect balance of purpose and product, telling our story far and wide.”

The Botanist Plant Conservation Edition is limited to 5,000 bottles and is available exclusively from The Botanist Online store for £37.00.

The Botanist is conceived, distilled and hand-crafted on Islay using 22 foraged island botanicals at Bruichladdich Distillery. A professional forager, James Donaldson, hand-picks the botanicals for the gin one by one throughout spring, summer and autumn. The botanicals are then dried carefully before being distilled. The 22 botanicals are slow simmer distilled with pure Islay spring water in a unique Lomond, still, affectionately nicknamed Ugly Betty, by Head Distiller Adam Hannett. The result is gin that speaks of the heart and soul of Islay. The Botanist gin encourages its customers around the world to think local and seasonal, seeking out available plants and creating unique garnishes to combine with the high-quality, artisanal spirit.