As a follow up to the introduction in India of the latest brand from Scotland, the unpeated Single Malt Bruichladdich Whisky and the Botanist Gin, their feisty Brand Ambassador Caitlin Hill arrived in the country to promote the same. If we were giving away prizes for the perfect fit of a brand with its brand ambassador, the Progressive Hebridean Distillers would bag the trophy for selecting Miss Hill for the job. Vivacious, young, stylish, with a rich throaty laughter, adaptive to different geographies – yes, we could jolly well be talking about the Botanist Gin or Bruichladdich Whisky.
Caitlin Hill spoke about the first and only Islay dry Gin, Botanist, which is made with 22 hand-foraged island botanicals. As she travelled around the various bars in Delhi and Mumbai, she encouraged bartenders to go foraging and experiment with local and seasonal ingredients to improvise new flavors.
I was served the Bruichladdich Whisky in a high ball glass, as the bottom layer of the cocktail, dressed with fruit, served with a STRAW!! Cant really say much about the notes on that whisky. Go try it out yourself.
But here’s more about Caitlin Hill. She moved from the US to South Africa at 13, dabbled in photography, fashion design, being a chef, before the Orphanage Cocktail Emporium in Cape Town hired as cocktail waitress. Caitlin found her passion and three years down, she is part owner and general manager of Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar in Cape Town. Two years of working behind the bar qualified her for the position as Niche Brands Ambassador for Progressive Hebridean Distillers in South Africa – looking after The Botanist Gin, Bruichladdich Whisky and Mount Gay Rum. She shares an extreme passion for foraging and sustainability – largely thanks to The Forager competition she took part in with The Botanist Gin in 2016.
In 2012, the French drinks giant Remy Cointreau acquired Progressive Hebridean Distillers.
