Cocktails with… Peachey’s Norfolk Dry Gin

Cocktails with… Peachey Gin

Peachey Norfolk Dry Gin was created and is produced by Janet Peachey of Peachey’s Spirits. The gin is made in “Lucky”, a 30 litre stainless steel still from America, using a botanical mix of:

Juniper
Coriander
Angelica
Lemon
Sweet Orange
Orris Root
Cardamom
Liquorice
Vanilla

The gin is bottled at 43.0% ABV.

On its own
Nose: Light malt with aromas of coriander and lemon biscuits.
Taste: Ginger and cardamom at the start with a little hint of chocolate; this develops into bright and leafy notes of citrus. This is a complex gin that gradually unfurls on the palate like a flower in sunshine. Pleasantly balanced and lovely to sip on the rocks.

Gin & Tonic
Spicy and aromatic with plenty of coriander, cardamon and ginger. There’s a little sweetness before a zesty finish with a hint of juniper. Succulent and refreshing.

Martini
Citrus rich and leafy notes of lemon balm and lemon thyme are mixed with a little verbena. Then comes a twinkle of warm ginger, accompanied by aromatic cardamom and a little pine mixed with fragrant coriander on the finish.

Gin & Soda
Citrusy with notes of malt hops make this a deep and layered drink. Whilst it might be less piney than your average Gin & Soda, it is nonetheless very refreshing.

Negroni
A bold and punchy Negroni with the gin providing a multilayered array of leafy, herbal, citrus and spiced notes that really hold their own against the Campari. A lingering note of ginger spice is a pleasant addition to the Negroni’s typical earthy bitterness on the finish.

In Conclusion
Peachey Gin is a fresh and aromatic gin, full of pleasant citrus-spice notes. My favourite drink was the Gin Tonic.

http://www.peacheysspirits.com
http://www.facebook.com/Peacheys-Spirits-1398698517120138/

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Cocktails with… Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin

Living on the south coast, I’m always excited when gins are released in the vague vicinity of SFC HQ, so I’ve followed the story of Dorset Dry Gin, made by Conker Spirit Distillery, with close interest.

Conker Dorset Dry is made using a mix of 10 botanicals; from classics such as juniper, coriander, and cassia, to some locally-sourced botanicals, such as elderberries, samphire, and gorse flowers from Dorset.

Bottled at 40.0% ABV, the gin is made using British wheat spirit and is proofed with New Forest Spring Water. Having lived there for 20 years, the New Forest is certainly a place close to my heart. Without further ado, here are my tasting notes.

The Taste

On its own
Nose: Crisp, luscious leafy notes upfront, followed by a mix of citrus and spice. Light juniper notes then come through, reminiscent of pine needles.
Taste: This has a sublime texture: silky smooth and luxurious. There are light coriander notes to start, accompanied by a little sweet citrus. The flavour then moves onto dry, woody spice and a hint of creamy vanilla, before crisp, green leafy notes and a dry finish.

Gin & Tonic
Excellent – light and smooth, with gentle leafy notes leading onto a little sweet spice, zesty citrus, and then a dry, juniper finish. Smooth, silky, and very easy to drink.

Martini
Thick, rich, and smooth, with notes of nutty, earthy spice, invigorating dry citrus, and a touch of soft, vegetal florality. This is a cocktail with a lovely symphony of flavours – tip top.

Negroni
A complex and jammy Negroni with some nutty, biscuity notes, followed by fresh, green flavours and an indulgent bitter-sweet finish.

In Conclusion
Conker Dorset Dry Gin is a great example of how you can balance terroir with national and international appeal. The gin is bright and tasty enough to appeal to gin drinkers on a global scale, but the notes of elderberries, as well as the leafy herbal notes of gorse and samphire, perfectly captures a flourish of Dorset in the bottle.

My favourite drink was the Gin Tonic but it was close as all drinks were excellent.

Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin is available for around £36 for 70cl from Master of Malt

Conker Spirit: Website, Facebook, Twitter

Cocktails with… Cardiff Dry Gin

From the Eccentric Gin distillery in Llantrisant, South Wales – Cardiff Dry Gin is the fourth gin in their family and was launched late in the summer of 2015. Bottled at 37.5% ABV botanical include:
Juniper
Rosemary
Fennel
Lemongrass
Lemon Verbena

The gin contains no citrus peels.

On its own
Nose: Sweet liquorice, cumin, rosemary – herbaceous and vegetal.
Taste: Sweet fennel, anis, and liquorice upfront, before some menthol pepper notes and leafy herbs such as rosemary. All of this before a long, poignant finish.

Gin & Tonic
Juicy and very spicy, with a mix of savoury cumin and sweet nutmeg and cinnamon, before a zesty finish.

Martini
A very good, flavourful Martini for a 37.5% ABV gin. This is herbaceous and spicy, with sweet notes of anis and liquorice towards the end.

Negroni
Another intense and spicy cocktail: the gin cuts through the other ingredients well, despite its relatively low ABV. This would make a superb pre-dinner cocktail.

In Conclusion
A good all-rounder gin and an example at how you can still have flavour intensity and quality at 37.5%.

Limbeck Gin

On its own
Nose: Fruity and woody, with bright hints of citrus and coriander, as well as a little spice.
Taste: This is a smooth spirit with plenty of coriander seed and cilantro notes upfront, before some resinous, piney juniper and dry, floral spice and wood notes. The finish that follow is dry.

Gin & Tonic
Very bright and fruity, with plenty of lime, coriander, and spice. There is some sweetness to the drink, but it’s really rather refreshing.

Martini
Bright lime, coriander, and floral notes upfront, before a juicy citrus finish. The zestiness make the drink perfect for the cocktail hour.

Negroni
Very fruity, floral, and perfumed. There are some pleasant confectionery elements that come through, too, alongside luscious berry notes and floral lavender. This is unlike any other Negroni I have ever tried – and I’ve tried them with over 300 different gins! Unique.

Cocktails with… Chase Eureka Gin

Citrus and gin are a natural match, so it is perhaps surprising that we don’t see more citrus gins, especially given how popular they once were. Chase Distillery released one in 2015, which was limited to just 1,000 bottles. It is based on Chase Naked Apple with extra Lemon, Lime, Ornage and Pink Grapefruit.

On its own
Nose: Bright, but not overpowering citrus in a medley of lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit notes. There are some hints of spice, too.
Taste: Dry upfront, before the citrus notes come through. There is a little oiliness from the start, with notes of vanilla, lime, and the darker flavours of orange and light citrus blossom. This has a smooth and silky texture, followed by a long, dry finish.

Gin & Tonic
This is a light and bright Gin & Tonic. The citrus nature of the gin makes it an obvious candidate to mix with tonic, and it does not disappoint. No garnish is necessary.

Martini
Lively, with a variety of citrus: lemon, lime, and orange. The bright vibrance is an excellent quality for a Martini and makes this a refreshing pre-dinner cocktail.

Negroni
A solid Negroni and, whilst the zesty citrus comes through, it does not dominate, so there is still space for your choice of garnish, whether it be a slice of orange, pink grapefruit, or blood orange.

In Conclusion
I was pleasantly surprised by the subtleties of this gin. Many citrus-flavoured spirits go overboard, but – thankfully – Chase Eureka does not. The result is a bright and vibrant spirit that still tastes like gin, but also has a lavish flourish of citrus that makes it perfect for long drinks. As such, my favourite drink was the Gin & Tonic.

Cocktails with… Carpenter’s Gin

Carpenter’s Gin is made in Homerton, East London by distiller Edward Rogers who was also an accomplished carpenter with a particular talent for crafting furniture. His gin is made in small batches: the equivalent of eighty 700ml bottles at a time.

The gin is bottled at 40.0% ABV and is made using botanicals including:

Juniper
Coriander
Angelica
Lemon
Orange
Orris
Cardamom
Almond Powder
American Oak Chips

On its own
Nose: A creamy nose with hints of cardamom, vanilla, and spice.
Taste: Very smooth upfront, with luscious, zesty citrus and coriander notes, before some broader spice notes and a lovely, dry finish.

Gin & Tonic
An excellent Gin & Tonic, very classic in style. It is dry and refreshing with a lovely citrus brightness and a mellow smoothness. A shining example of a succulent Gin & Tonic.

Martini
Pleasant to sip; very soft and smooth. There is a good interplay between lemon and lime citrus and warm spice notes. A delicious cocktail that is elegant and easy to sip.

Negroni
Carpenter’s Gin makes a really rich Negroni with a silky texture. It has a pleasant, woody-vanilla mellowness that is followed by a clean, herbal, and bitter finish. The lingering richness at the end is accompanied by a touch of fragrant spice. A complex and evolving drink.

In Conclusion
I enjoyed Carpenter’s Gin and it’s great to see a craftsman moving from one medium to another. I think that the use of oak chips as a botanical is a nice nod to Edward’s past and it does make a difference, especially in the Negroni, which was my favourite drink.

Cocktails with… Cotswolds Gin

2014 was a bumper year for the opening of craft distilleries in the UK, but one that made quite a splash when it opened and continues to be talked about today is the Cotswold Distillery in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire.

The distillery is in a picturesque setting and shows that the concept of “destination distilling” has really arrived in the UK.* They currently make a gin, are putting new-make spirit in barrels for whisky, and are planning a range of distillery exclusives. Today, I’m taking a look at their gin.

On its own
A bold dry gin, with juniper up-front followed by an interwoven mix of citrus and coriander. This adds a fresh zest and floral spiciness to the middle of the gin. The spiciness from the coriander then leads to some deeper notes of menthol pepper and hints of hedgerow berries, all mixed in with a floral flourish. The finish is crisp, dry pine and lavender. This is a flavoursome spirit with a clean and smooth base thats leaves you with a gentle glow.

From the Freezer
The gin changes in two ways when served from the freezer: it is both much more viscous and has louched. The flavours seem to be more focused towards the dry juniper, angelica, and coriander notes, and the more floral and herbal elements, such as bay leaf and lavender, are suppressed a little bit. The finish is very long and dry, with a hint of menthol pepper that’s reminiscent of cubeb or grains of paradise.

Cloudy Gin & Tonic
A pleasantly ethereal looking drink, with wisps of clouds in the liquid that are well complemented by the pink grapefruit and green bay leaf. As a drink, this is a very cooling concoction, with the various botanical aspects of the gin coming through well in an array of herbal and floral notes. The final impression is one of dry, fresh and crisp juniper and citrus.

Martini (Diamond)
Poured straight from the freezer into a vermouth-rinsed glass, this is visually quite attractive: it is viscous and almost white, like liquid ice. To taste, it is very dry, with fragrant notes and an intriguing piney mix of juniper and lavender, as well as a little citrus and some menthol notes towards the end.

Martini (stirred)
A clean Martini: smooth and soft to start, then the alcohol gradually builds, which gives you that wake-up lift that makes Martinis a great first-of-the-evening drink. This cocktail is more subtle than that made using the diamond method and more of the herbal and floral notes come through.

Gin & Soda
Like the Gin & Tonic, this louches (goes cloudy), but, as we’ve already established, this doesn’t matter. I used a 1:5 ratio of gin to soda, so it’s quite a light drink, coming in at about 7% ABV. This makes it a lovely cooler for a sunny summer’s afternoon. Because of the intensity of the botanicals flavours, the gin is not washed out and you can still appreciate its character.

Negroni
Dry, bitter and relatively tart, Any sweetness comes from an interesting dark marmalade note. This makes for a very intense Negroni and the gin stands up well to the other bold flavours. Whilst I really like this drink, I would recommend it to the advanced Negroni drinker – someone that really likes a jolt from their red drink.

In Conclusion
I’ve enjoyed mixing with Cotswolds Gin, with its bold flavours. I think it is good that the distillery embraces the fact that it louches; this actually leads to some additional inspiration and creativity when mixing. My favourite drink was the Gin & Soda, as few gins can make one that has so much flavour.

Cocktails with… Anno Dry Gin

Anno Gin is made by Anno Distillery in Kent. The name “Anno” comes from the first two letters of the founders’ first names: Andy and Norman.

The gin, which is bottled at 43.0% ABV, is produced in a copper pot still and is made using botanicals that include: Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Orris, Liquorice, Cassia, Cubeb Berries, Lemon, Bitter Orange, and Tahitian Lime Leaves.

There are also a selection of locally-sourced botanicals that capture the terroir of the distillery’s region:
Kentish Hops
Lavender
Elderflower
Rosehips
Camomile
Samphire

Anno also make a Sloe Gin, a Cranberry Gin, and an Elderflower Vodka, but it is their dry gin that I am tasting today.

Neat (at room temperature)
Appearance: Clear, bright, clean and sediment-free.
Nose: Crisp, piney juniper, angelica, and citrus. There is also a touch of florality, some leafy, herbal notes, and the faintest hint of dark chocolate. Complex and inviting.
Taste: Soft to start, with a rich, full texture and a complexity of flavour that grows as you sip. The palate starts with classic juniper, before moving towards some citrus and then some sweet spiced notes and a hint of dark cocoa.
Finish: Bold and long, with leafy herbal notes, as well as the noticeable, but not overpowering, Kentish Hops. Balanced, with a crisp, dry lift at the very end.

Overall, this is a Classic style of gin with a Kentish twist.

Neat (from the freezer)
Floral citrus really comes through on the nose, as well as a hint of celery. It has a lovely thick and viscous texture – delightful; the low temperature really brings out the unique characteristics of the gin such as floral notes and the leafy hops. Whilst still dry and full of juniper, this serving gives the gin a more contemporary edge.

Gin & Tonic
Classic, clean and crisp. It is dry to start, with a zesty citrus middle and a long, dry finish. Very refreshing with subtle spice and herbal notes giving it a distinguished quality.

In Conclusion
Anno Gin is a great example of how distillers can capture the character of their surroundings in a gin whilst still keeping that recognisable dry gin flavour. I especially enjoyed sipping it from the freezer.

Cocktails with… Makar Glasgow Gin

As the rise of craft distilling in the UK continues, it is great to see Scotland’s largest city get its own independent craft distillery. After all, Edinburgh already has Summerhall and the Edinburgh Gin Distillery.

The Makar gin (the Scots word for poet) is made at the Glasgow Distillery in West George Street, Glasgow. It boldly proclaims that it is “juniper-led”; this is the first time I have seen this so prominently displayed on a bottle but with so many craft gins embracing the contemporary style it makes sense.

The gin is bottled at 43.0%abv and contains a mix of seven botanicals (the gin itself fittingly comes in an attractive heptagonal bottle) which include: juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon, liquorice, black pepper and rosemary.

The Taste

On its own
Nose: juniper led for sure on the nose, fresh spruce and sappy juniper, vibrant and exciting, there is then some citrus followed by a touch of woodiness and floral herbal notes of rosemary. Very inviting.
Taste: A strong and bold flavour, bursting with green, sappy, resinous juniper pine notes. The bottle says, “juniper-led” and it’s not kidding; this is an excellent option for folks who find many modern gins too light on the juniper. Citrus and coriander notes follow, with dry angelica on the finish, before fragrant, herbal rosemary.

Gin & Tonic
A tasty and juicy Gin & Tonic, with rich and full notes of piney juniper that add a clean crispness to the drink. This is a textbook Gin & Tonic – certainly worth trying.

Martini (5:1, Gin:Vermouth) Stir – Orange Bitters – Rosemary
A fragrant, yet dry Martini. The bitters and garnish draw out the rose aromatic elements of the gin. This is all followed by a spicy and peppery finish. Smooth and clean, this is a pleasant alternatie to the more common citrus-led Martinis.

Martini (Diamond method, no garnish)
Oily resinous pine-juniper, thick, viscous and luxurious texture. Just superb. This makes way for some citrus and the complex rosemary that, apart from strong juniper, a re becoming a signature for this gin.

Negroni
Quite a herbal Negroni; the rosemary really comes through. The gin stands up well to the strong flavours of the vermouth and Campari , and makes a cocktail that is herbal, but more aromatic than earthy – excellent.

Gin & Soda
Fruity berry and stone fruit notes are followed by coriander and floral, juniper-pine. A light and refreshing drink and a very pleasant way to appreciate this gin.

In Conclusion
Maker is an excellent gin and proof that a traditional style is far from boring and there is plenty of space to differentiate. I enjoy sipping it neat and in. Negroni although I didn’t find anything I didn’t like it in.

Makar Gin Website

 

 

Cocktails with… Dà Mhìle’s Seaweed Farmhouse Botanical Gin

Today is Trafalgar Day and, as such, I thought it was fitting to feature a somewhat nautical gin; namely, Dà Mhìle’s Organic Seaweed Farmhouse Botanical Gin. This gin uses a cut down variation of the botanicals in their Original Gin and, after distillation, it is infused with seaweed from the Newquay coast, before being triple filtered.

Da Mhile Gin with the serving suggestion of sipping it from an oyster shell

On its own
Nose: Complex and intriguing, with floral hints of rose, as well as citrus, coriander, some dry juniper and pine notes, and salty leafy notes.
Taste: A very strong flavour, with the same note that are found on the nose. This is a mostly smooth spirit, with just a touch of warmth at the end. The bold flavours of the gin should make it a great candidate for mixed drinks. There is some pleasant spice elements on the finish.

Gin & Tonic
A very powerful drink. Notes of resinous pine and juniper, citrusy coriander, and some herbal notes towards the end, plus a hint of chocolate. Plenty of flavour and rather cooling.

Martini
Bright and powerful, with a great juniper hit, as well as some complex, leafy, slightly salty, green notes.

Negroni
A smooth and complex Negroni; again, the floral and salty green notes of the gin come through well and add character. This would be a good choice for those who like a Negroni with plenty of flavour.

A glass of chilled Seaweed Gin as a fine accompaniment to seafood.

Gimlet
Excellent and a great choice for Trafalgar Day. The tart lime works well with the green leafy notes of the gin and its fresh, slightly salty element.

In Conclusion
Dà Mhìle Seaweed Gin is a bold and flavoursome spirit that, as it was designed to do, goes well with seafood. My favourite drink was the Gimlet.

Cocktails with… Sibling Gin

Over the past four years, we have published reviews for 299 gins from 31 different countries and so, today, it is with great pleasure that we reach our 300th Gin Review.

This review is of the new Sibling Gin from the Sibling Distillery in Cheltenham. The distillery is the brainchild of the Elliott-Berry siblings: two brothers, Felix and Digby, and two sisters, Clarice and Cicely, who are all under 25 years of age.

Their gin is produced in a glass and metal hybrid still that was designed in-house and contains a botanical infusion basket. They use a range of botanicals including: juniper, coriander, lemon, orange, vanilla, and blueberry. The gin is made using a vodka base, which is distilled in-house, and the final product is bottled at 42% ABV.

The Taste

On its own
Nose: Rich and creamy vanilla, with a hint of breadiness; there is also a little chocolate that is reminiscent of a dark chocolate brioche. More of the traditional gin notes then come through, with dry juniper, angelica, and some citrus. Finally, creamy berries.
Taste: This is quite a rich and full spirit, texture wise. There is juniper upfront, followed by a little pepper spice. This then makes way for luscious, rich and creamy vanilla notes and zesty citrus, followed by even more vanilla, a touch of chocolate, and a burst of berry notes from the blueberries. The finish is long and dry with a little citrus, pine, and some residual vanilla.

From the Freezer
Served straight from the freezer, this gin has a pleasant thickness: a richer and more viscous texture. More of the dry notes of the gin come through and there’s a lovely finish of vanilla and berries with a slight sweetness, almost reminiscent of an Eton Mess. Very sippable and very tasty.

Over Ice
This is another pleasant way to sip the gin and a little ice melt certainly gives the spirit a silky texture. There’s dry spice upfront with notes of cinnamon, cassia and vanilla, before a slight zing of citrus, a hint of tart berry, and then a dry juniper and angelica finish.

Gin Tonica
Beautiful: the grapefruit and vanilla combine to create a chord of chocolate notes that complement the complex flavours of the gin superbly. Engaging, unusual, and certainly one to convert anyone to the Spanish style Gin Tonica.

Gin & Tonic
Another lovely drink. The blueberry jamminess and vanilla add a confectionery element and helps the gin break through past some of the more cloying elements of some tonics. The rest of the flavour is wonderfully dry, with a lovely citrus finish fresh of lemon and orange.

Martini
Creamy and slightly sweet, with hints of berry, vanilla, and anise. Still, this is very clean and has a dry finish, although an initial, light, confectionery element sets this apart and makes it just as suitable as a post-dinner drink as an aperitif. Even Mrs B. (not usually much of a Martini fan) described this as “very drinkable”.

Negroni
This cocktail has a lovely flavour with plenty of chocolate and vanilla notes, before a dry and bitter finish with more earthy dark chocolate. It’s a smooth Negroni, which is in some ways smoother and lighter than many others, but, at the same time, it maintains the bitterness that you would expect from the drink.

French ‘75
Sibling Gin adds a subtle, but noticeable berry creaminess that works very well with the champagne. For this particular drink, I would dial back a little on the lemon juice so that the gin can come through a little more.

Berry Muddler
[Muddle half a small handful of raspberries and blueberries in the bottom of a tumbler, add ice and 50ml of Sibling Gin. Stir and sip.]
A simple drink that’s as a sippable as a fruit smoothie. The blueberry works well with the blueberry and vanilla notes from the gin, and the raspberry adds a nice tartness that works well alongside the dryer botanical notes.

 

Sibling Gin is available to purchase from the Sibling Gin website for around £32 for 70cl.