57˚ SKYE EARTH AND SEA SPIRITS LAUNCH ITS FIRST TWO, HANDCRAFTED, PREMIUM GINS

57˚ Skye earth and sea is delighted to announce the launch of its first two small batch gin expressions to consumers, 57˚ Skye earth and sea gin and 57˚ Skye earth and sea Banyuls Cask Finished Gin. These two beautifully crafted spirits are distilled on the Isle of Skye and are inspired by the natural unspoilt beauty and fertile waters that surround the largest island in the inner Hebrides archipelago.

57˚ Skye earth and sea gin and 57˚ Skye earth and sea Banyuls Cask Finished Gin are hand distilled, bottled and labelled at the new distillery and tasting rooms in Broadford, Isle of Skye, using the finest botanicals selected by our distiller, including some which are sourced on the Isle of Skye itself and the surrounding waters.  This distillery is an addition to the distilling community, on an island which already boasts several other distilleries which produce whisky, gin and other spirits.

Both gin expressions have been perfected by Distiller Seumas Gorman, a native of Skye who was trained in the art of distilling by Kris Dickenson, creator of the multi-award winning Thomas Dakin Gin. Seumas has sought to push boundaries in order to embrace the unique local flavour of the island through exploring the fusion of botanicals, local seaweeds and kelps. He is at his happiest when exploring flavour combinations and experimenting on the stills at the distillery.

57˚ Skye earth and sea gin marries local botanicals from the earth such as heather, blossom, rowan berry and yarrow with coastal botanicals including smoked laminaria and laminaria digitata otherwise known as kelp seaweed. Balanced with other botanicals such as juniper, angelica and lemon peel the result is a gin with a peppery warmth which balances well with the earthiness of the coastal influences.

57˚ Skye earth and sea Banyuls Cask Finished Gin has been distilled using the same botanicals as the London Dry Gin but is finished off in French oak casks which previously contained Banyuls liquor, a fortified aperitif. The 225 litre casks were finished off on the Isle of Skye and so combine the earth and sea.  The gin has a golden-orange hue from the cask influence which also provides the spirit with a depth of flavour. A well balanced gin with fresh citrus notes combined with waxy vanilla, aromatic spice and sweet butter apple notes.

The packaging for both expressions is inspired by the island surroundings and there are a number of features on the bottle which celebrate its island roots. The bottle is adorned with a textured white label which represents the topography of the Isle of Skye. 57˚ Skye is written in contemporary style pale blue lettering with the degree in orange on the London Dry Gin bottle and in red on the Banyuls cask bottle. This degree represents the GPS coordinates of the Isle of Skye which are 57˚25′ 28.5420″ N. Both bottles are finished off with a wooden stopper and stamped with a trademark that highlights they are produced on the Isle of Skye.

Commenting on the launch, founder  Séamus Ó Baoighill said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of 57˚ Skye earth and sea gin and 57˚ Skye earth and sea Banyuls Cask Finished Gin to consumers today. Both gins are shaped by the island’s stunning surroundings and habitat and, whilst both are juniper-led London Dry Gins, the fusion of sea and earth botanicals gives them a modern twist which we hope will be enjoyed by gin lovers around the world.”

Nose: Full bodied of purposeful juniper, a pleasant balance of citrus, pine and hint of sweet liquorice

Taste: A viscous, warm and pleasant mouthfeel with flavours of redcurrant, gives way to an earthy spice reminiscent of fragrant Sichuan peppers. Floral heather and lavender notes open up as a touch of aniseed and menthol coat the mouth

Finish: The finish is long and starts sweet with hints of liquorice, honeysuckle and nutmeg slowly tapering off like a well made cologne with cedar wood and rosemary. An exceptionally well balanced gin

25 ml 57˚ Skye earth and sea gin | 25 ml Campari | 25 ml Sweet Vermouth

Style: Cask Aged Gin

Nose: Juniper forward nose with fresh lemon and lime

Taste: Hints of spice and waxy vanilla with layers of complex orchard fruits and earthy spice

Finish: A lingering, sweet buttery apple finish

50 ml 57˚ Skye earth and sea Banyuls Cask Finished Gin