Lussa - Original Gin (70cl, 42%)

Only 200 people can call it home and George Orwell, who stayed there while he wrote '1984', described the west coast Isle of Jura as a most 'un-get-at-able place’. Accessible only by two ferries, Jura holds the key botanicals and perfect maritime temperature climate to produce the outstanding final product.

Stemming from an idea that snowballed in the summer of 2015 saw Claire Fletcher, Georgina Kitching and Alicia MacInnes come together to forage botanicals from nearby hills and glens, lochs, bogs, woods and the sea to launch "the gin for adventurers" just a short year later.

Using ‘Jim’ their traditional Portuguese copper still…leaves, needles, cones, seeds and roots are added to the pot along with neutral spirit and soft, crystal clear spring water from the hills of Ardlussa. Flowers and petals go in a basket that sits above the pot; their flavours and aromas are released into the vapour as it passes. This is mix is then warmed using a bain-marie and gently distilled over the course of a day.

Est. - June 2016.
Location - Ardlussa, Isle of Jura.
Owners - Alicia MacInnes, Claire Fletcher, Georgina Kitching.
Serving Suggestions - Alicia MacInnes: Neat, on the rocks with a sliver of lemon. Claire Fletcher: Sprig of lemon balm, neutral tonic and ice. Georgina Kitching: Soda water, ice and a fragrant rose petal, preferably red.
Known Botanicals (15) - Lemon Thyme, Coriander, Rose Petals, Lemon Balm, Lime Flowers, Elder Flowers, Honeysuckle, Bog Myrtle, Orris Root, Juniper, Water Mint Leaves, Sea Lettuce, Scots Pine Needles, Rose Hip, Ground Elder Leaves.
Tasting Notes -

• Nose: Soft citrus and dried grass, spring blossom and a flourish of intense peppery mint.
• Palate: The combination of botanicals takes you on a journey that is fresh, zesty, smooth and slightly spicy.
• Finish: slowly dissipating aromatic finish.