Theodore Pictish Gin, 700 ml

Product Information

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. The brand name has been inspired by the spirit of the Picts, an ancient tribe that once settled near the brand’s home in Ardoss, Northern Highlands. 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. Theodore de Bry was a 16 th century engraver who brought the Picts to life through his art.

Barth commissioned an illustrator to rework de Bry’s drawings, creating two Pictish characters for a new century: a man and woman, drawn as equals to highlight Pictland’s matrilineal society, strong warriors adorned with the beautiful body paint of legend. In this way, he could pay tribute to both the mysterious tribe that inspired his botanical blend and the talented artist that gave it a name. 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. Greenwood is also planning to launch a mezcal, Armagnac and Bourbon by spring 2019, as well as a “rare” Scotch whisky by autumn this year. Since Spirituous Liquors became common, the Baking Trade has very much decreas'd and what the Landed Interest has gained by them, it has lost in Bread and Beer; besides Meat, Butter, Cheese and other Eatables... [Spirituous Liquors] obstruct the carrying on of Trade in every Branch... 7 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.

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Not much is known about the Picts, but that sense of mystery has inspired the creation of this new spirit.

Looking across multiple categories, from Cognac to calvados, gin to Tequila, a wide range of bottles were awarded the top accolade of Master medals for their designs. The body-painted warriors are alleged to have travelled from as far as Scythia and Scandinavia to settle amidst the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands. The only traces of this lost tribe, famed for their courage and craftsmanship are echoed in the art, engravings and forgotten fortresses of Scotland. In this first experimental batch of Theodore, sixteenbotanicals, including pine, damask rose, pomelo and bourbon vetiver, have been distilled in a multi-stage process using an old Charentais still alongside a rotovap to extract the best flavours and aromas from each distinct botanical. Their origins, and even their name – Picts, or ‘painted people’ – are a mystery. Perhaps they were tattooed or wore body paint. Perhaps it was a Roman exaggeration, designed to paint a portrait of a barbarian hoard too bloodthirsty to bend the knee to the Empire. Mystery & Inspiration, Bottled Hogarth, on his own admission, wished to draw attention to various social and moral issues in society. He would have had nothing to gain and much to lose by misrepresentation of facts with regard to these issues. Although his interpretations of the facts might differ from that of other witnesses, they had to be seen to be realistic. By co-ordinating his graphic images with those images provided by his literary contemporaries and in medical writings of the time, it can be seen that they represent a realistic scenario with regard to the prevailing medical scene and to some of the opinions expressed at the time. Hogarth offers a well-informed layman's view of the world of medicine as it impinged on the society that he portrayed. Alcohol abuse is just one example.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.

A pamphlet entitled A Dissertation on Mr. Hogarth's Six Prints lately Publish'd contributed to contemporary comment on the subject. 6 This pamphlet was inscribed to the 'Lord Mayor, City of London and Worshipful Court of Aldermen' (1751) and contained a 'Genuine Narrative of the horrible Deeds perpetrated by the fiery Dragon, GIN...' In the Dissertation, the Bishop of Worcester asks, whereas great Difficulties and Inconveniences have attended the putting the said Act in Execution, and the same hath not been found effectual to answer the Purposes thereby intended. . . 3 Featuring 16 botanicals, including pomelo, pine, damask rose, honey and oolong tea, Theodore Gin is a fresh and elegant gin with a floral heart and warm, rich finish. It is Scottish by birth and Pictish by nature. A Dissertation on Mr. Hogarth's Six Prints Lately Publish'd inscrib'd to the Lord Mayor, City of London and Worshipful Court of Aldermen, 1751.

Theodore Pictish Gin Details

Using a medley of botanicals that the Picts may have encountered on their travels, the gin forges links between ancient legends and the world we live in today.