Distell’s Isle of Mull distillery Tobermory, known for its Tobermory and Ledaig single malt whiskies, has created the first gin in the Hebridean distiller’s 200 plus-year history, which the company unveiled to the travel retail industry at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition.

 

The new gin will be available for purchase from select travel retail locations from January 2020, according to Luke Maga, Distell Global Travel Retail Managing Director, who spoke to members of the media at a press conference held in Cannes last week.

 

Tobermory Gin (43.3% ABV) has been created using inspiration from the colourful Isle of Mull, the second-largest of the Inner Hebrides, located off the west coast of Scotland.

 

“Starting as a blank canvas, the base spirit is distilled over and over until it is clean, fresh and ready to take on the vibrant array of flavours from the island’s rich palate,” says the company.

 

“A unique splash of spirit from the Tobermory whisky stills – affectionately named ‘Botanical #1’ – is added, creating a standout character. Meanwhile a pinch of Hebridean tea, grown by a local on Mull, ensures a true taste of the island.”

 

‘EXPRESSIVE BY NATURE’

Tobermory Gin’s flavour profile comprises 13 botanicals, including juniper, elderflower and sweet orange peel. “All are picked in season to strengthen and enhance the flavour profile and are steeped for at least 24 hours in the base spirit,” insists the brand.

 

Distilled in a John Dore & Co copper pot still, Tobermory Gin has the ‘perfect balance of fruity and floral notes with the malty full mouth-feel of a newly distilled whisky spirit’, it adds. “On the nose, notes of fresh juniper are balanced with citrus and coriander, with a touch of rich maltiness, from the specially created Botanical #1.”

 

A campaign, encompassing advertising, PR, social and sampling, will support the new product launch. Called ‘expressive by nature’, the name is inspired by the island and the creative process.

 

Stephen Woodcock, Distillery Manager at Tobermory Distillery, said: “Tobermory Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, producing one of the oldest single malts.

 

A SPLASH OF WHISKY GOES A LONG WAY…

“We’ve got a track record of producing different spirit types, though we’d never tried to make gin, until now.

 

“Tobermory 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.”

 

Luke Maga said: “The team at Tobermory Distillery are highly skilled and the prospect of taking on a fresh challenge, to create a new type of spirit, was one they embraced with creativity and island inspiration.

 

“The addition of Tobermory Gin has given us the opportunity to strengthen not only the distillery portfolio but Distell’s offer as well – marking the company’s first foray into the gin category. We’re confident Tobermory Gin will prove popular with global travellers, giving them a little taste of Magical Mull.”