First Impressions
Badachro Distillery occupies one of the most beautiful locations of any distillery in the world. Situated on the shores of Loch Badachro in the north-west Highlands, with views across to the Isle of Skye, it is a setting that would inspire even the most unimaginative spirits producer. Fortunately, the gin lives up to the scenery. Small-batch craft gin produced in a copper pot still named Delilah, using pure Scottish water infused with hand-picked botanicals from the surrounding landscape — this is Highland terroir at its most literal.
The Distillery
Badachro Distillery produces gin in small batches, and the botanical sourcing is a mix of locally foraged and traditionally sourced ingredients. The foraged botanicals — gorse blossom, wild myrtle, rosehip petals, elderflower, and lavender — are all hand-picked from the unspoilt countryside surrounding the distillery. Classic gin botanicals — juniper, coriander, liquorice root, and cubeb — provide the structural backbone. The combination of wild Highland botanicals and traditional gin ingredients creates a gin of genuine place.
Tasting
The nose is immediately aromatic. Juniper and myrtle lead — the wild myrtle adding a resinous, herbal quality that is distinctly Highland. Piney juniper intertwines with fresh florals and green herbaceous aromas, and herbal citrus notes provide brightness. The gorse blossom contributes a faint coconut-like sweetness that is subtle but detectable. It is a nose that smells like the Highlands after rain.
On the palate, the first taste brings an initial wave of myrtle, rosehip, and elderflower — three foraged botanicals creating a gentle, floral opening. This ebbs into hints of liquorice and coriander — the traditional gin ingredients providing structure — and cubeb contributes a warm, peppery quality. Nutmeg tingles the tongue gently. The mouthfeel is clean and well-judged at 42% ABV, with the wild botanicals expressing themselves clearly without overwhelming the gin's fundamental identity.
The finish is clean and refreshing, with further floral notes of lavender emerging alongside zesty, bright citrus. It is a gentle, elegant finish that maintains the Highland character established on the nose and palate.
How to Drink It
Use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary and a twist of lemon — the herbal garnish connects with the wild myrtle and the Highland character. For a cocktail, try it in a Bramble, where the rosehip and elderflower find natural partners in the crème de mûre.
The Bottom Line
Badachro earns an 8 for delivering a Highland gin of genuine terroir — the wild myrtle, rosehip, elderflower, and gorse blossom are not marketing additions but authentic expressions of the landscape surrounding the distillery. The combination of foraged and traditional botanicals is expertly balanced, the 42% ABV is perfectly judged, and the result is a gin that captures the beauty and wildness of Scotland's north-west coast. At around £37, the small-batch production and hand-picked botanicals justify every penny. From one of Scotland's most beautiful distillery locations, a gin that tastes like the view.
