Description

In Celtic folklore every house had a Brownie or Spirit, or in Gaelic, an Uruisg {oor-isk} to help with household chores. They were traditionally male, small in stature, illusive, and worked only at night. They became attached to particular families and estates, with whom they stayed for centuries. But from the remote Hebridean island of Colonsay, tales of a something different began to emerge, tales of alchemy, tales of ALVA, a delightful, red-haired maiden, a very special Brownie with supernatural powers, a Gruagach {groo-ah-gak}. Long, long ago she somehow survived when her Viking long boat crashed on the wild island’s unforgiving rocks. She stumbled ashore and took shelter at Tigh na Uruisg {tee-na-oor-isk}, or home of the spirits, where she remains to this day. Legend has it that she uses all her powers to protect her secret recipes from those desperate to know. With an alchemist’s delicate touch she transforms humble botanicals into gin. Not many get to see her beauty, but all get to taste her fabulous gin.

Smooth and slightly sweet, as if kissed by the maiden herself, strong juniper notes then transport you to a pine-fresh walk through the magnificent woodlands of Colonsay House, before the flavour develops into a delicate balance of spice, peppery notes and lemon sherbet; the latter lingering, as clean and refreshing as a dip in the clear blue waters of Kiloran Bay.