The Home of Rathmor Gin

On the southern edge of Little Rathmor, where the fortress town of Dun Lar looks out across The Straights, lies one of the islands’ most celebrated industries – the gin distillery that produces the world-renowned Rathmor Gin. Established in the late 19th century, the distillery was born from the union of local traditions with the growing European taste for spiced and aromatic spirits. What sets Rathmor Gin apart is the marriage of native and imported botanicals. The rocky slopes of Little Rathmor are home to hardy juniper bushes, their berries ripening slowly under the salt-laden winds. These provide the essential heart of the spirit. To this base are added a host of island-sourced ingredients: heather blossoms from the moors, kelp and seaweed gathered at low tide, and a scattering of wildflowers that bloom in sheltered glens. Together, they create a distinctive flavour – floral, mineral, and touched with the tang of the sea. Imported spices such as coriander seed, angelica, and citrus peel complete the recipe, linking the island’s rugged character to global trade routes.