Appearance: Dark crimson/brick red, like cranberry juice. Aroma: The initial impression is of juniper-prominent gin. After a few moments and several inhalations the fruit-note starts to come through. It is mild at first but gradually gains intensity and eventually shows an intense red berry character. The gin botanicals are never swamped, however, and the nose has excellent balance. Flavour and Texture: Also excellent but the opposite of the nose – it’s sweet and slightly tart on entry with fruit to the fore then the gin botanicals emerge as it rests on the palate. There is considerable complexity but an excellent balance is maintained. The texture is rich and lightly syrupy and the finish medium-long, herbal, juicy and just slightly tinged with oak. A very pleasant and finely balanced sloe gin. Sometimes berry-infused gin can be cloying but while this is warming and comforting it still retains a gentle balance that sets it above other examples. It avoids the clinging, jammy-like sweetness that is too-often encountered in sloe gin. Sugar must be added, both to open the fruit to maceration and to balance the natural tart flavour. However it’s a common mistake to go too far and make it into a liqueur when it should be a flavoured spirit. This particular sloe gin also includes mulberries which contribute both an individual flavour and also sweetness from fructose to balance the sloes, which means the white sugar component can be reduced. The maceration is then aged in ex-red wine casks for a year to give additive berry notes and meld the components. I’ve tasted many sloe-gins and in my experience they express themselves best in different ways. Most are good neat as a liqueur, but tonic may suit some, giving a result not unlike an aperitivo spritz. Some team best with lemonade rather in the manner of Pimms, while others might be best with dry companions like soda water and a squeeze of lime. This particular example is quite versatile and also excellent on its own as a liqueur. “Very Good” : 87/100 (4.25 stars)