Eilean Mòr Gin
Last updated 16 May 2026
From Beinn an Tuirc Distillers on the Kintyre peninsula — the first gin distillery in Kintyre and powered entirely by renewable energy from their own hydroelectric and solar installations. The distillery's sustainability credentials are genuine: carbon-negative production, local botanical foraging, and a commitment to minimal waste. The gin itself is gentle and floral — a good representation of the Kintyre landscape. Available from the distillery, Campbeltown shops (combine with a Springbank visit), and online.
Eilean Mòr is the lesser-known Argyll gin — wild botanicals from a properly remote stretch of west coast, made in small batches, distinct herbal character. £32-36 is fair money for a Scottish gin most people haven't heard of, which is part of the appeal.
Tasting notes
Floral and herbaceous with a clean heather note. The Kintyre botanicals give it a soft, coastal character that's more delicate than Islay gins but more interesting than generic Highland offerings.
- Nose
- Heather, fresh juniper, faint sea breeze
- Palate
- Herbal mid-palate, gentle juniper, soft maritime note
- Finish
- Medium, herbal, gently briny
Flavour profile
- juniper3/5
- citrus2/5
- floral3/5
- herbal4/5
- spice1/5
- sweet2/5
Botanicals
West coast wild botanicals — sea thrift, bog myrtle and heather — over classic London Dry foundations
How it’s made
- Production
- Eilean Mòr is distilled in Argyll using west coast wild botanicals foraged from the local coastline. The name (Gaelic: 'big island') references the islands of Loch Sween off Knapdale.
- Still type
- Small copper pot still
- Base spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
Perfect serve
Mediterranean tonic, thyme sprig, copa.
- Tonic
- Mediterranean tonic
- Garnish
- Sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary
- Ratio
- 1:3
- Ice
- Plenty of ice.
Mediterranean tonic suits the herbal character. Avoid heavy Indian tonic — it overwhelms the wild botanicals.
Cocktails to make with Eilean Mòr Gin
Knapdale Highball
Highball
- 50ml Eilean Mòr
- 15ml elderflower cordial
- Soda water
- Sprig of thyme
Build over ice in a tall glass. Top with soda. Garnish with thyme.
Food pairings
West coast gin with west coast seafood. Natural fit.
- West coast langoustines
- Smoked trout
- Goat's cheese
- Lamb with rosemary
Where to buy
Frequently asked questions
+Where is Eilean Mòr Gin made?
In Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. The name means "big island" in Gaelic and references the Loch Sween islands off Knapdale.
+What does Eilean Mòr taste like?
Herbal and gently maritime — sea thrift, heather and bog myrtle over a moderate juniper backbone.
+Where can I buy it?
Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, and the brand website. Not generally in supermarkets.
+Can you visit the distillery?
Eilean Mòr is a small-batch operation — no public distillery tours.
Compare with similar gins
The Botanist
contemporary · islay
Made at the Bruichladdich whisky distillery on Islay, distilled with 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals on top of nine classics. Run through the same 'Ugly Betty' Lomond still that's now spent more time making gin than the whisky it was originally built for.
Lussa Gin
contemporary · islands
Made on the Isle of Jura by three friends who forage their botanicals from the island's coasts, gardens, and moorland. Lussa is as hands-on as Scottish gin gets — the team picks wild botanicals by hand and distils in small batches using a bespoke copper still. The connection to Jura is genuine and visible in the finished product. Available on the island, at selected Scottish retailers, and by mail order. One of the most authentic 'island' gins in Scotland.
Avva Scottish Gin
contemporary · highland
A small-batch Aberdeenshire gin that uses silver birch sap from the local woodland as one of its key botanicals. The birch gives a subtle, slightly sweet woody character that's different from the maritime or heather notes you find in most Scottish gins. Produced by a husband-and-wife team, which keeps the batches small and the quality consistent. Available from specialist retailers in the north-east and online.
Plan your distillery visit
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