A return to the islands

The big Scottish Gin provenance debate has been ongoing for some time now, grabbing headlines and ruffling feathers within the Scottish Gin industry. The news has primarily focused on the negatives, but what about the brands that are transparent and open about the challenges they have faced and their route to achieving their dream?

Island challenges

Building any distillery from the ground up, is no easy feat. We’ve been to all types of distilleries, from the large and established, making whisky and other spirits, to ones that are tucked away in unassuming buildings, with just 1 or 2 staff and learned about the challenges involved.

So, setting up a gin business on a remote island with no real infrastructure multiplies the challenges, with reliance on good weather for ferry crossings, broadband availability, or the lack of specialised tradespeople to the list.

The year of a return to the islands

We have been following the journey of some brands who have taken the decision to contract distil south of the border due to the unique challenges faced by island life. The great news is that in 2019, they are moving production to their island communities, building distilleries, creating jobs, boosting tourism and bringing their gin home.


Wild Island Gin

Colonsay Beverages produce Wild Island Botanic Gin, and they now have a range of island distilled products, Distiller’s Cut. This year, they’re set to release their first nationally-available island-distilled product into the UK and overseas markets. They are currently operating a 250l still as well as a second mini still for recipe development and have 5 employees in Scotland and will be looking to add more distilling expertise on site at the Wild Island Distillery this year.

Hannah says “Given Colonsay is an island measuring 8 by 3 miles, on the edge of the Atlantic, with unreliable ferries and a population of only 120 people this is no mean feat. This is something that would not have been achievable if not for our partnership with Langley Distillery, in the Black Country, working with one of the most renowned master distillers in the UK has been invaluable and it is a relationship we cherish.”

“Surely it’s no coincidence that some of the most well-known brands being contract distilled elsewhere are based on small islands in the Hebrides?

The emerging gin market is one that might just tip the balance back in a favourable direction. Islay is the perfect example of how the distilling business can change fortunes, create sustainable communities and add massively to the Scottish economy.”


Barra Atlantic Gin

Barra Atlantic Gin was the dream of Kate and Michael Morrison and, seeking to make their dream a reality, they teamed up with a London distiller to launch the product onto the market. 

Created using Carrageen Seaweed as its main botanical, collected from the shores of The Isle of Barra, the gin launched in August 2017.

Michael says “It was our goal from the word go to create a premium product that not only Barra could be proud of but would have appeal beyond the island and resonate with gin lovers far and wide.”

Since launch, the gin has been listed in exclusive venues such as The Kitchin, Edinburgh, luxury cruise ship The Hebridean Princess and Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or.  The team have negotiated export deals to Denmark and Germany; and featured at London Fashion Week.

They now plan to bring the production of the gin home to the Isle of Barra, with distilling starting there as soon as February 2019.


Tyree Gin

Tiree Whisky Company Ltd – founded by locals Alain Campbell and Ian Smith, are the brand owners of Tyree Gin, which has an unique flavour achieved through six botanicals: Eyebright, Ladies Bedstraw, Water Mint and Angelica locally-foraged from the island’s rich and fertile machair ground together with Kelp and Sea-Belt from the Atlantic Ocean.

Both Ian and Alain decided to pursue the business venture after researching the island’s rich distilling heritage.

“In the eighteenth century, Tiree was home to around fifty distillers with each farm on the island operating at least one still producing whisky”, said Ian.

“This began to decline as tighter regulations from both the estate and the government were introduced. Although a large number of islanders were still making whisky illegally, this industry ceased completely at the start of the nineteenth century.”

Eighteen months of contract distilling in London by Thames Distillers Ltd helped fund the renovation of an industrial shed in West Hynish in the southwest of the island and a 250-litre G-Still was installed there in late 2018, with full production starting early February 2019.

“We have had a great deal of support from the local community and we hope that this venture will help the development of the island both socially and economically by stimulating local employment and encouraging new visitors to the island.” Said Alain.

As the company name suggests, gin is not the only product that they hope to produce. Tiree Whisky Company plans to research the possibility of establishing a whisky distillery on the island and with that put the Isle of Tiree firmly back on the Island Whisky Trail and launched into the worldwide Scotch Whisky Industry.


Whitetail Gin

Whitetail Spirits Limited was founded by Jamie Munro and his family is the brand owner of Whitetail Gin. The gin is named after the White-tailed Eagle which is synonymous with their family home at Tiroran on the Isle of Mull.

Whitetail is currently distilled by Charles Maxwell at Thames Distillers in London, but the long-term ambition has always been to bring production and distilling back to their home at Tiroran on the island.

Jamie says

“When beginning the Whitetail brand, it was always at the forefront of our minds to create the best gin that we could without compromising on quality and being totally transparent in the process. By working with Charles Maxwell at Thames we knew we were using one of the best and most regarded distillers in the industry which; without doubt helped with our challenging goal to combine a high bottling strength of 47% abv with a smooth and delicate finish, whilst also using (and transporting!) four key botanicals from our home. (Sea-Kelp, Calluna Vulgaris Heather, Winter Savory and Pine Needles).”

Just 17 months on from selling its very first bottle, Whitetail Gin is now available in Co-Op stores throughout Scotland, Selfridges and House of Bruar among many others.

Bringing distilling to Tiroran is not without its challenges Jamie says though, especially when it has come to planning and logistics:

“Here at Tiroran we are located at the end of a public road and our community is very small with approximately 20 people spread over 1,000s of acres. Located where we are is challenging for any business, especially from a logistical, and planning point of view. However; for all its limitations, we are all very passionate about Tiroran and Mull and we are ecstatic to be bringing gin production home.  However, it must also be said without any doubt would not have been possible to move forward with the phenomenal expertise of Charles and his team at Thames.”


The outlook for Hebridean Gins

2019 really is the year that Hebridean Gin returns to the islands. These gin producers have been upfront and transparent about their provenance, their plans and where they distil their products.

While there are undoubtedly still some gin brands out there who are less transparent about their provenance, we understand that for many, contract distilling is a simple business decision, while the ultimate goal is to set up distilleries that will bring employment, tourism and pride to the local communities.

We will be bringing you future features on these and other gin brands, the challenges they’re facing, the plans they’re making and their progress in building and opening their island distilleries.

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