Wild Thyme Spirits moves production to Hebridean home

Wild Thyme Spirits is preparing to distil its first ‘island batch’ gin as it moves production to its new home on the Hebridean island of Colonsay.

The gin’s inspiration is rooted in Celtic folklore, including its branding which features a spirit named Alva

The gin brand hopes to produce its first batch on the island by the end of May, having moved its manufacturing to the brand’s new home on the Inner Hebridean island.

Wild Thyme Spirits launched in 2017 after its founder’s, Fin and Eileen Geekie, relocated to the island from their home in Oxfordshire, UK.

To coincide with the launch of the first spirit made on the island, Wild Thyme Spirits has negotiated an agreement with the Colonsay Estate to hand-forage botanicals on the island.

The pair will be given access to the grounds of the historic Colonsay House, where they will be able to source a variety of local botanicals for future island gin expressions.

The “juniper-led” gin is currently made in a 100-litre copper still in small batches. The spirit is distilled with seven botanicals, including juniper, angelica root, calamus root, liquorice root, orange peel, orris root and coriander seeds.

Bottled at 47% abv, Wild Thyme Spirits Colonsay Gin is available online for £38.50 (US$54) per 500ml bottle.

At last year’s Gin Masters competition, the brand walked away with a Silver medal in the Ultra Premium gin round.