Theodore Gin is described as an elegantly aromatic Scottish gin, inspired by the lost civilisation of the Picts. In a G&T, the lime leaves are a little clearer, enhancing the citrus and vetiver. Botanically rich, that impression fills out further over time and quite uniquely, becomes more complex as it all dilutes - most probably from the Oolong coming to its own as the ice melts. Pair it with a grapefruit peel if you are keeping it simple, but for those wanting a fancy pants concoction come G&T time, try a lime leaf and some pink peppercorns. Inspired by Theodore de Bry’s drawings, Theodore Gin followed in his footsteps by commissioning their own Pictish illustrations, which meant it was only right to give him some credit. As he smiles: “We’re not religious people, but there’s something so amazing about finding Ardross, then the farm, then meeting all of these amazing people on the journey. It’s a celestial sequence of events that I find fascinating.” We look forward to bringing you more news about the opening of the Ardross Distillery in due course.

As with the distillery’s ethos of innovation, two master distillers have collaborated in its creation – one British, Andrew W. Rankin, and one French, Barnabe Fillion, combining traditional and new techniques.

Theodore Pictish Gin Details

The gin takes its name from Theodore de Bry, 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. Theodore Gin is also available to enjoy in leading bars and restaurants including The Gibson, Disrepute, 64th& Social, The Curtain, Frenchie and Anglian Country Inns. Not much is known for sure about the Picts, but that sense of mystery has inspired the creation of Theodore Gin. The tribe is alleged to have travelled from as far as Scythia and Scandinavia to settle in the Scottish Highlands during the late Iron Age and early medieval periods. The result is a distinctive gin that offers top notes of citric pomelo and crisp pine needles that evoke the scent of fresh grass. Honey, Damask rose and oolong tea present a floral heart, while both fresh and dried ginger bring woody warmth and spice. Base notes of bourbon vetiver add a smoky aroma with hints of vanilla.

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. The competition is sponsored by Amorim’s Top Series unit, which specialises in the design, engineering and production of exclusive capsulated cork closures. 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. The Picts are history wrapped in legend, the truth of their civilisation shaded by rumour and lore. Little is known about this race of Scotsmen, who held off the Roman legions and left us nothing but intricately carved metal and stone, including the famous Wolf of Ardross.

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Greenwood Distillers will launch seven spirits in the UK this year, with the aim of expanding to exports markets including France, Japan and the US by 2020. Theodore Pictish Gin contains 16 botanicals including pine, lavender, pomelo and bourbon vetiver. As part of the sensory experience we were given each botanical to smell in its purest form, most of them as oils, as though the gin had been deconstructed into its key components. During this we also had a glass of the gin in hand, and it was fascinating to have the botanicals right in front of us as well as the finished product. Theodore has been created with guidance from perfume designer,BarnabéFillion, and is presented in a beautiful bespoke bottle and box, which features artwork of the Picts and the 16 botanicals within the gin commissioned from illustrator Carlotta Saracco. Theodore Gin is named after 16th Century engraver Theodore De Bry, a man most famous for his illustrative work in Les Grands Voyages (aka “The Discovery of America”). He also published the largely identical India Orientalis series, as well as many other illustrated works on a wide range of subjects, including as you might have guessed - the Picts. The Picts were body-painted warriors who existed so long ago that, for the most part, remain a total mystery. While they appear on written records that date from Late Antiquity to the 10th Century, stories passed down from generation to generation have blurred the lines a bit. All we really know, and not even for sure, is that they travelled from as far as Scandinavia to settle in the wilds of Scotland.

Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. Whereas the Drinking of Spirituous Liquors or Strong Waters is becoming very common, especially amongst the People of lower and Inferior Ranks, the constant and excessive Use whereof tends greatly to the Destruction of their Healths rendying them unfit for useful Labour and Business, Debauching their Morals, and inciting them to perpetrate all manner of Vices. . . 2 The distillery features a still house, tun room, mash house and mill room, which are housed in the main building. It is said to be one of the few distilleries in Scotland to own and manage its own loch.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. As the Subjects of those Prints are calculated to reform some reigning Vices peculiar to the lower Class of People.

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. There are sixteen botanicals in total: juniper, angelica, coriander, cardamom, pink pepper, orris, honey, lavender, pomelo, chamomile, ginger, oolong tea, damask rose, lime leaf, bourbon vetiver and pine. Any Gin fan worth their salt will spot a few familiar faces, but more than that they’ll notice a whole raft of recognisable flavours, albeit those that haven’t necessarily been put together before in Gin form. Consider our interests raised…I asked an 8th-generation English master distiller to do a London Dry Base,” Barth says. “Then we started to discuss with our olfactory expert how to elevate and add complexity to that base by using botanicals that can’t classically be distilled using the one shot method, where everything is distilled at the same time. That’s why this gin is truly an intercultural collaboration – we try to take the best from each culture and share knowledge.” These verses, written by William Hogarth's friend and collaborator, the Rev. James Townley, accompany the artist's print, Gin Lane. Alcohol abuse is hardly a uniquely modern problem - Hogarth's print depicts the results of such abuse in the eighteenth century and highlights many of its social consequences.