Tastes

A crisp, gin from Scotland that has an aromatic birth with notes of juniper, citrus, herbs & spices; while an elegant life adds notes of juniper berry, licorice, nutmeg, cardamon & coriander; that leads to a zesty death of medium length with notes of lemon & orange rind. January 2021

A delicate, Awamori Gin by the Masahiro Shuzo Distillery in Okinawa, Japan distilled from long grain rice in two single distillation pots & infused with local botanicals before being bottled at 47% ABV. It has a delicate birth with notes of citrus, tropical fruits & flowers, berries, herbs & spices; while a balanced life adds notes of juniper, guava leaves, Balinese long pepper, goya, Shek Washa & Roselle; that leads to a quick & delicate death. (closer to Shochu or Sake) April 2022

An intense, handcrafted, gin from Portugal distilled with a 3-stage distillation column still; crafted from neutral alcohol with a base of wheat & rice to which water is then added. It is infused with gorse flowers from Arouca samphire flowers from Ria de Aveiro, goji berries & seeds, Fava Haba Tonka beans, Flor de Car Queja & Salicornia, cardamom, coriander seeds, lemon, lemongrass, almond, Indian clove, nutmeg & pink pepper; for a total of several spices & 13 botanicals. It has an aromatic birth with notes of berries, citrus, flowers, nuts, herbs & spices; while a bold life adds notes of juniper, vanilla bean & cinnamon; that led to a long & spicy death with notes of more cardamom, coriander & sea spray. July 2022

A crisp, 100% local Gin by Bodegas Suau in Mallorca, Spain crafted with juniper, rosemary, Sóller orange peel & fig leaf using the original family recipe first distilled in 1919. 4 different distillations are carried out so that the unique components of each of the botanicals are not lost. The fig leaf is distilled at a lower temperature, as it is very delicate. It opens with notes of citrus, berries & herbs; while a Mediterranean life adds notes of juniper, Sóller oranges, fig leaves & rosemary; that led to a crisp & balanced death of medium length. August 2022

An intense, organic, super premium single estate Pot Still Gin by the Braniff family in Ireland crafted with organic barley grown, harvested & malted on The Echlinville Estate. The botanicals are macerated directly into the still; including the indigenous whin bush & Strangford Lough Seaweed; then trickle pot distilled before being bottled at 92 Proof. It has an aromatic birth with notes of berries, citrus, grain, flowers, herbs & spices; while a crisp & balanced life adds notes of melon, lychee, anise, citrus blossom, lavender, rose petals & a hint of barley & juniper; that led to a long, slightly creamy & warming death with notes of cardamom, coriander & pine resin. November 2022

A Navy Strength expression, aptly named Elephant Strength Gin! Their recipe includes some fascinating African ingredients including Baobab, the Buchu plant, Devil's Claw & African Wormwood, & this one has been bottled at 57% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of zingy citrus & menthol; while a complex life has notes of sweet juniper, Baobab plant, Devil's Claw & African Wormwood; that led to a long & intense death with a hint of black peppercorn. January 2018

A Navy-Strength variation of the Fifty Eight Gin. Produced by Mark Marmont in Hackney Downs using a combination of 9 botanicals - juniper, coriander, lemon, pink grapefruit, vanilla, orris, cubeb pepper, bergamot & angelica. It has a tropical birth with notes of lemon, pink grapefruit & juniper; while an elegant life added notes of grapefruit oil, cubeb, woody juniper & leafy herbs; that led to a quick & balanced death. January 2018