Greenwood Distillers Limited 49 St James’s St, St. James’s, London SW1A 1JT, UK
Theodore Pictish Gin Legendary painted
THE ORIGINS OF THEODORE GIN
Theodore is an elegantly aromatic Scottish gin, powered by the spirit of the Picts — an ancient confederation of tribes that once settled near our home in Ardross, Northern Highlands.
Thought to be some of the very first settlers of Scotland, the Picts arrived on the eastern archipelago as mysterious body-painted warriors. Soon “Pictland” was home to a multitude of clans that would rule—however briefly—over the lands north of Hadrian’s Wall. Today, traces of their adventures echo only in the poetry, engravings and forgotten fortresses of Scotland.
But through the fragrant aromas of Theodore the Pictish Gin, lost memories of the Painted People are now brought to life. Fragmentary reveries of their exploits add flavour as we distil and bottle, our choice of crisp and citric botanicals invoking an appropriately Pictish sense of adventure.
Theodore Gin represents a journey of curiosity, as we forge links between ancient legends and the world we live in today. Not much is known for sure about the Picts, but that sense of mystery only whets our thirst.
CRAFT & PROCESS
Theodore Gin is an elegantly aromatic Scottish gin, inspired by the lost civilisation of the Picts. Theodore is an homage to a war-like tribe that once made its home amidst these ancient rocks and valleys.
In this first experimental batch of Theodore, sixteen botanicals, including pine, damask rose, pomelo and bourbon vetiver, have been distilled in a multi-stage process using an old Charentais still alongside a rotovap to extract the best flavours and aromas from each distinct botanical.
Pomelo is distilled in an old Charentais still at “feu nu” to extract the elegant citric notes of the fruit. Ginger is double distilled again in the Charentais in order to extract woody warmth and powdery spiciness. Honey and fresh pine needles are distilled in a vacuum using a rotavapor to preserve the freshness of the botanicals. Coriander, juniper, pink pepper, chamomile, kaffir limes, orris, cardamom and lavender are distilled in the classic London Dry style
After distillation and blending, we further infuse Theodore Gin with Oolong tea, which gives the liquid a pale straw colour, and a green-grassy aroma that adds layers of complexity as well as balances the natural sweetness of the gin.
This intricate and delicate elixir is the product of a perfumer and two master distillers, one British and one French, combining old and new techniques.
BOTANICALS
THE CHARACTER OF THEODORE
Honey
Natural floral & rich sweetness
Coriander
Light, versatile & exotic
Citric Pomelo
Atypical & bright citric flavour
Bourbon Vetiver
Elegant, strong & lightly smoky
Damask Rose
Precious perfume ingredient
Juniper
The piney heart of gin
Pink Pepper
Stimulating & spicy
Angelica
Earthy & bitter
Chamomile
Raw & comforting flavour
Kaffir Lime
Sophisticated citric
Ginger
Explosive & warming complement
Orris
Powdery floral element
Pine
Distinctive Scottish flavour
Lavender
Green & aromatic
Cardamom
The spice of the silk road
Oolong Tea
Soft, floral with tannic undertones
Theodore Pictish Gin Gift Tube, 700 ml
| Brand | Theodore |
| Alcohol type | Gin |
| Flavour | Tea |
| Unit count | 70.00 Cl. |
| Number of items | 1 |
About this item
- Theodore is a new Scottish gin powered by the spirit of the Picts, an ancient tribe that once settled near the brand’s home in Ardross, Northern Highlands
- Theodore Gin is a fresh and elegant gin with a floral heart and warm, rich finish
- Featuring 16 botanicals, including pomelo, pine, damask rose, honey and oolong tea
- Sold in a Gift Tube that has beautiful illustrations of Pictish Warriors and the botanicals used to make the Gin.
Spirit at new distillery is gin-tastic
By Features Reporter
Published: 09:44, 06 August 2019
THEODORE is a new Scottish gin powered by the spirit of the Picts, an ancient tribe that once settled near the brand’s home in the northern Highlands.
Following the limited edition batch, Theodore Gin will be the first spirit produced at the new Ardross Distillery, which will be in operation from autumn 2019. Set in a remote location, deep in the Highlands, the distillery will be housed within the ruins of a 19th-century farmhouse.
Featuring 16 botanicals, including pomelo, pine, damask rose, honey and oolong tea, Theodore Gin is a fresh and elegant gin with a floral heart and warm, rich finish. It is Scottish by birth and Pictish by nature.
It is crafted by two Master Distillers – one French and one English – with guidance from olfactory expert and perfume designer, Barnabé Fillion, who has brought a contemporary, Pictish approach to the distilling process.
Theodore’s initial top note is of elegant, citric pomelo and crisp pine needles that evoke the scent of fresh grass. As the top notes give way, honey ushers in a floral heart of Damask rose and oolong tea.
Both fresh and dried ginger have been used to create Theodore Gin. Fresh ginger brings woody warmth, enhancing the flavours of pomelo and adding complex layers of flavour, while dry ginger brings forward a powdery spiciness.
Base notes of bourbon vetiver add a smoky, woody aroma with hints of vanilla, and oolong tea delivers further green notes to complement the citrus and pine. The distinctive combination has a long finish on the palate, with delicate rose returning in waves.
Theodore de Bry was a 16th-century engraver who brought the Picts to life through his art. While he had never met a Pict, his representations powerfully captured their intrepid identity. Inspired by his drawings, Theodore Gin followed in his footsteps by commissioning their own Pictish illustrations, which meant it was only right to give him some credit.
Theodore Gin is presented in a beautiful bespoke bottle and box which features the artwork of the Picts and the 16 botanicals that were commissioned from illustrator Carlotta Saracco.
Founder, Barth Barthelemy Brosseau, said: “We have collaborated with an eclectic team of individuals who are pushing boundaries in their respective fields to create something special. While not much is known for sure about the Picts, we enjoy that sense of mystery.
“Their magnificent body-paint and talent as craftsmen may seem at odds with their alleged fierce nature, but we appreciate this inherent duality. Theodore pays tribute to this dualism with a bold and characterful gin that embodies the Pictish spirit and it is for anyone who is looking to whet a curious appetite.”
