The Story Behind Arboreal Spirit
If you’ve ever walked through Westonbirt, you know that the experience is as much about the scents as it is about the views. The crisp sharpness of the pines, the subtle sweetness of the changing leaves - the arboretum has a very distinct atmosphere.
We decided to bottle that atmosphere. The result is our signature gin, Arboreal Spirit, a project born out of a collaboration between local craft distilling and Westonbirt's tree management team.
And if you've been waiting for the next round, good news: the brand new batch is due to land early July. To ensure you are one of the first, join our waiting list by emailing retail@fowa.org.uk or pop into the shop.
From Arboretum Floor to Still
We wanted the gin to be as authentic as the landscape so we partnered with Hannah, a local distiller from Still Sisters.
Hannah spent time exploring the grounds alongside our Technical Arborist, Chrissie Dow. Guided by the arborist team’s deep knowledge of the collection, they carefully hand-foraged botanicals that genuinely represent the landscape.
The Ingredients
Arboreal Spirit is distilled in small batches, and its flavour profile comes entirely from the trees you pass on your walks here:
Westonbirt Diva (Champion Magnolia): Provides a sharp, lemony lift.
Douglas Fir: Brings a bright, classic citrus freshness.
Maple & Walnut Leaves: Add a grounding, herbal depth and structure.
Bladdernut: Introduces a soft, clean floral note.
There are no artificial shortcuts here - just a balanced, expressive gin that tastes of Westonbirt.
The Profile: Bright citrus and subtle floral notes up front, backed by a deep, layered herbal finish. It’s smooth, structured, and distinctively aromatic.
A Limited, Seasonal Release
Because we rely entirely on seasonal foraging, waiting for specific trees to leaf before we can harvest, this is a small-batch product. Every release is slightly different, shaped by the time of year and the seasons.
The first batch flew off the shelves, and this newly delivered second batch is expected to do the same.
The best part? Every bottle sold help funds the ongoing care, maintenance, and conservation of the arboretum. You get a great bottle of gin, and our tree collection gets the resources it needs to thrive.
For more information on the effects of alcohol and to assess your consumption, visit Drinkaware.co.uk. Please drink responsibly. Over 18s only.
