Badachro Distillery: the 'Spirit' at the bottom of a garden

It is surprising what you find down the little road leaving Kerry Bridge for Badachro. When I take guests to the distillery, we turn into what appears to be the driveway of a private house, walk through the gate and discover that our initial assumption was entirely correct. This is the home of Gordon and Vanessa Quinn, while the family distillery occupies a collection of wooden buildings within the grounds. There is no sweeping entrance, enormous warehouse or procession of coaches. You simply walk up the drive and enter one of the most personal distillery experiences in the North Highlands.

Badachro Distillery was established after the licensing environment became more accommodating towards small stills, helping family businesses to join the extraordinary expansion of Scottish craft distilling. Gordon brought an advertising background to the enterprise, while Vanessa had worked in horticulture and studied botanicals. That combination is evident throughout the business. Locally gathered ingredients including wild myrtle, gorse blossom, rosehip petals and elderflower help connect the gin to Wester Ross, while the branding ensures that the bottles attract attention long before anybody has tasted what is inside them.

I have no objection to Badachro Gin, but Rock Rose remains my personal favourite, whereas Sally-Ann is particularly fond of Dancing Puffin Vodka. I am not sufficiently devoted to vodka to offer an expert opinion, although I can appreciate the appeal of its smoothness and the cheerful puffin dancing across the label. It is clever branding from somebody who understands advertising, but the contents have also earned recognition in their own right. Tastings may now include gin, vodka and whisky, and drivers need not drink everything placed before them because a miniature can be taken away.

Badachro has developed a formal tour that includes its still room, production story and a guided tasting, although this remains a small family distillery rather than a spectacular industrial visitor attraction. We normally include it when guests have asked for a tour concentrating upon Highland food and drink, because its modest scale and domestic setting are precisely what make it interesting. Those expecting polished theatre and enormous copper stills may find it underwhelming, but anyone attracted by locally made spirits, personal conversation and the opportunity to sample several products in an unexpectedly beautiful location should book ahead and follow that driveway.

To learn more, book one of our North Coast Explorer private tours.