Tobermory launches first gin

Scotland’s Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull has expanded its portfolio with the launch of its first gin.

The flavour of Tobermory Gin is said to reflect the colourful Isle of Mull

The distillery is owned by South African drinks firm Distell and produces the Tobermory and Ledaig single malt Scotch whisky brands. The site reopened this year after a two-year closure for refurbishment work. 

Its new gin has been inspired by its home of the Isle of Mull, the second largest island in the Inner Hebrides. In addition to neutral grain alcohol, Tobermory adds a “splash” of whisky spirit, dubbed ‘botanical #1’, to the base liquid.

Thirteen botanicals are used to make the gin, including Hebridean tea grown locally on Mull, juniper, elderflower and sweet orange peel. The ingredients are picked in season and steeped for at least 24 hours in the base spirit, which is then distilled in a John Dore & Co copper pot still.

“Tobermory Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, producing one of the oldest single malts,” said Stephen Woodcock, Tobermory distillery manager. “We’ve got a track record of producing different spirit types, though we’d never tried to make gin, until now.

“Tobermory Gin is the first established single malt distillery to use their name on a gin. Using a splash of spirit from our famous whisky stills, along with a mix of botanicals, some hand foraged on the island, Tobermory Gin really is something different for the gin market, with an interesting story to tell as well as a high quality and unique spirit.”

The launch will be supported by a new campaign, titled ‘Expressive by Nature’, spanning advertising, PR, social and sampling.

Tobermory Gin carries an ABV of 43.3% and has an RRP of £31 (US$38). It follows the launch of two new whiskies from Tobermory distillery earlier this year.