65 High St, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 9AU, UK
Isle of Bute Gin craftsman of Creative work
HOME OF THE WORLD’S FIRST OYSTER GIN
Welcome to Isle of Bute Distillery, where craftsmanship meets creativity in the heart of Rothesay. This quaint Scottish island is the driving force behind our small batch spirits. Our products are crafted with care using a traditional copper still and we source botanicals from across the island landscape to create premium spirits that embody life on the Scottish isles.
SHARING THE FLAVOURS OF ISLAND LIFE
Isle of Bute Distillery makes premium spirits that showcase the island and everything it has to offer. Behind every business there is a story and the people that live it, take a moment to find out more here.
OUR STORY
SHARING THE FLAVOURS OF ISLAND LIFE
In 2018 Rhona Madigan-Wheatley returned to Scotland and decided to start a gin distillery in Rothesay.
Taking this idea and turning it into reality is a result of the dedication and passion of a small team of people. Some of us live on Bute, some of us spent our holidays here growing up, some of us moved here for work and decided to stay – some of us may even have dragged our retiring parents across the water.
What brings us all together? We are committed to the craft process and our spirits are inspired by the wonderful scenery and wild places that can be found the length and breadth of the Isle of Bute.
Equipped with little more than a 200L copper still and two recipes in mind, we got to work producing small batch craft gin using locally sourced botanicals. The distillery opened to the public in July 2020 – a tricky time you may recall – and the rest, as they say, is history.
We’re always searching for new ideas and creative recipes to share with our customers and supporters, so make a trip to Bute and come see for yourself.
Welcome to Bute Yard, your one-stop shop for local food and drink in Rothesay.
From day one our distillery has been a major supporter of the Bute Yard project, working with Johnny Bute and his team to establish the go-to hospitality destination on the Isle of Bute and we were delighted to open the venue during Summer 2023.
Farmers markets, craft fairs, ceilidh dances, weddings, you name it. Bute Yard is an all-purpose events space and now the spiritual home of Isle of Bute Distillery and Bute Brew Co.
We love nothing more than showing people around the place. In summer, enjoy the wide expanse of the courtyard beer garden. Freezing cold in winter? No chance. Grab a long table indoors to soak up the cosy ambience and warmth (kudos to underfloor heating) of Bute Yard.
THE GIN
Every bottle of Isle of Bute Gin is made in Rothesay using our traditional 200 litre Portuguese copper still named Audrey. Audrey has been with us since 2018 and while she doesn’t say much, she is very dear to us all.
The botanicals used in each batch of gin are macerated in the still with grain spirit and water from Loch Ascog, located less than a mile down the road.
The still is gas fired, which gives greater depth of flavour and added complexity when distilling. From start to finish the process of distilling takes almost exactly eight hours. The spirit is then allowed to rest before it is packaged into our signature bottles, a process completed entirely by hand by our dedicated team at the distillery.
We create each gin around a signature botanical harvested from Bute and its surrounding waters, blended with classic herbs and spices. Above all else, we like making gin from interesting things. Juniper, angelica, coriander?
Yes sure, but there is no better example of our ethos than our flagship Oyster Gin – the first of its kind in the world. We use Loch Fyne oyster shells and treat the shells like we do any other botanical: soaking them in the spirit and distilling them to create delicate, seaside aromas and savoury flavours.
OYSTER GIN
Regular price£42.00
Tax included.
The world’s first Oyster Gin.
Citrus – Savoury – Maritime
We charge our still with the shells of wild Scottish oysters to add a delicate maritime essence. When blended with citrus and other botanicals, this creates a savoury gin which is the perfect pair with seafood and the ideal base for a martini. However, to begin with you must try Oyster Gin neat, the taste profile is one of a kind.
ABV 43%
GORSE GIN
Regular price £39.00
Coconut – Vanilla – Pine
We handpick gorse from the grounds of Mount Stuart to give our gin a floral nose with hints of coconut and vanilla, reminiscent of a summer’s day walk along the Bute coastline. Hand crafted and bottled on Bute, together our Gorse and Heather gins showcase the splendour of Bute’s wild places.
ABV 43%
HEATHER GIN
Regular price £39.00
Bright – Floral – Grapefruit
Wild heather, which we handpick across the Isle of Bute, gives our gin a vibrant floral nose. Balanced with the sweetness of pink grapefruit to create a bright citrus finish. Hand crafted and bottled on Bute, together our Heather and Gorse gins showcase the splendour of Bute’s wild places.
ABV 41%
A CONTEMPORARY, MULTI-USE VENUE WITH A TASTE FOR FOOD & DRINK ON THE ISLE OF BUTE
Welcome
Celebrate your appetite for life by enjoying local offerings at Bute Yard – your food and drink hub showcasing the best local, artisan and craft fare on the Isle of Bute.
Having welcomed visitors from near and far for more than two hundred years, Bute is known for its friendliness, natural beauty, history and seaside holiday charm. You’re invited to relax, eat and be merry, knowing the Isle of Bute community is at the heart of Bute Yard, as envisioned by our founder, Johnny Bute.
Celebrate your appetite for life by enjoying local offerings at Bute Yard – your food and drink hub showcasing the best local, artisan and craft fare on the Isle of Bute.
Having welcomed visitors from near and far for more than two hundred years, Bute is known for its friendliness, natural beauty, history and seaside holiday charm. You’re invited to relax, eat and be merry, knowing the Isle of Bute community is at the heart of Bute Yard, as envisioned by our founder, Johnny Bute.
WELCOME
Bute Yard, with its versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, is open all-year round, come rain or shine. Treat yourself to drinks, tastings and tours at our on-site brewery, distillery and bar. Discover new favourite foods at our regular markets and heritage smokehouse. You can also attend one of our popular food pop ups and experience new cuisine.
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