Colonsay Distillery is fast becoming the go-to destination for gin fans and island visitors alike, offering, not only, distillery tours and tastings, but also, luxury weekend breaks at their Gin Lover’s Retreat. Owned and run by Eileen & Finlay Geekie who left over 30 years of Oxfordshire life behind them back in 2016 when they moved to the island to live and work. Since launching their first prod
uct – Colonsay Gin – they have gained listings in on and off-sales establishments in Scotland, the wider UK and online, as well as selling direct from the island through their own website shop. Export orders are also being fulfilled to as far afield as Canada, Spain, Germany and the USA. The multi-international award-winning gin is made in small batches in a traditional copper still and is a London Dry style gin, classically juniper forward, but bottled at a slightly higher 47% ABV to accentuate the flavour profile. Best served with premium tonic as a G&T with a garnish of either a twist of orange zest or, for the more adventurous, a slice of green chilli. Their latest products include Cait Sith (pronounced Caught She) an Old Tom style gin and Tonn Mor a Navy Strength gin. Inspiration for the artisanal spirit is rooted in the island’s wild landscape and its mythical Celtic folklore. Legend has it that every Scottish estate possesses its own ‘Brownie’, a spirit that assists with household chores; the WTS HQ’s spirits are the mischievous Doughal and Ferghus, as depicted in the brand logo, and Alva, illustrated in the Mucha inspired, Art Nouveau-style bottle design. Alva is a red-haired maiden who was marooned on the unforgiving coastline and a taste of her indomitable Viking spirit is encapsulated in all her secret recipes, none more so than in the concomitant pepperiness and sweetness of Colonsay Gin. Their label artwork is available as posters or limited edition prints as well as colouring booklets and jigsaws. Tucked away between the better-known islands of Islay and Mull, and nestling close to neighbouring Jura, Colonsay is just under a two-and-a-half-hour ferry journey from Oban on the West Coast of Scotland. The tiny island is quietly renowned for its tranquillity, exquisite sandy beaches, rare flora and fauna and abundance of wildlife. This burgeoning business has already contributed to the sustainability and ongoing development of the island economy and continues to support the local community wherever it can.
