National Trust for Scotland property Inverewe Garden toasts gin launch hook-up with Badachro Distillery as spirit of legendary founder Osgood Mackenzie invoked
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The National Trust for Scotland is toasting the launch of a new product inspired by its world-famous heritage garden in the Highlands.
The conservation charity has unveiled Inverewe Garden Gin, a small-batch Scottish craft gin, which encapsulates the botanical bounty found at the Wester Ross property.
It has been produced in collaboration with Badachro Distillery, a small independent company just 13 miles from the garden, where it is uniquely handcrafted.
Berries, birch and heather, all hand-picked from Inverewe Garden, are among the botanicals which are infused to make the gin, along with other top secret ingredients.
And the spirit of the garden's founder Osgood Mackenzie is to the fore in the recipe. He brought back a wealth of plants from his world travels to create the garden in 1862, including Tasmanian pepperberry of which he was an enthusiast.
Described by Osgood as having "sweet-scented leaves, and a quaint and beautiful inflorescence", pepperberry is used in the gin to create a balanced and gentle flavour.
Along with the soft and pristine local water, the stunning result is "Inverewe in a bottle".
Martin Hughes, the National Trust for Scotland's Operations Manager at Inverewe Garden, said: "The Trust is very excited to be launching Inverewe Garden's exclusive gin which highlights the history of the property and also how it continues to inspire in the 21st century.
"It's great to be working in partnership with the Badachro Distillery just down the road and to be supporting an important local business and employer.
"We're sure that garden founders Osgood and daughter Mairi Sawyer would raise a glass to this latest innovation from Inverewe Garden, the place they both loved so dearly."
Badachro Distillery was established five years ago by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn, creating part-time and full-time permanent jobs in the area.
Also crafting whisky and vodka, the family-run firm uses recycled paper for its labels and glass bottles which are recyclable, while all spent botanicals are composted.
Inverewe Gin is being launched in the centenary year of the death of Osgood Mackenzie (1842-1922) who took 100 acres of barren moorland on the shores of Loch Ewe and turned it into a horticultural haven of international importance.
It is being marked by the Trust with a new permanent display in the Visitor Centre at Poolewe - "The Impossible Garden" - telling the story of Osgood's life-long passion for, and development of, Inverewe.
To read more about Inverewe Gin and the makers go to: Meet the makers: Gordon and Vanessa of… | National Trust for Scotland
Inverewe Gin is available to buy at Inverewe Garden, Poolewe, or online at: https://www.nts.org.uk/shop/inverewe-garden-gin-70cl
Inverewe celebrates the best of human achievements in the natural environment. Marvel at our heritage garden, containing species from across the globe and created from a barren wilderness in the 19th century. A labour of love and enduring commitment, it’s a feast for your senses.
This is a setting that inspires art and creativity. At its heart is Inverewe House, a museum with a twist, and its adjacent Sawyer Gallery, which hosts exhibitions that reflect the characteristics of the garden and surrounding environment.
