Isle of Harris Gin (75cl, 45%)

A Scottish gin from a distillery on the shores of East Loch Tarbert in the Outer Hebrides, opened in October 2015 with production beginning that December. Its ninth botanical is sugar kelp, hand-harvested by a local diver from the waters around the Outer Hebrides, alongside juniper, angelica, cassia, coriander, cubeb, liquorice root, orange peel and orris root. The kelp reputedly adds a subtle maritime umami character. The gin is distilled in a small copper still known locally as The Dottach and presented in a wave-inspired bottle. The nose brings juniper and pine, bitter orange, lime and grapefruit, floral rose and wallflower notes, crushed green herbs, coriander and gooseberry under mixed spice, followed by mango, grapefruit and orange on the palate and a long, clean finish with vanilla and black pepper.