World Gin Day is just around the corner (on the 11th of June, to be precise) and we are getting ready to celebrate all things gin. For your juniper-based enjoyment, we’ve put together a few recommendations that you might like to try.
Hippocampus Gin (RRP $79.99, distributed by Memorable Drinks )
Hippocampus gin was recently awarded a gold medal in the highly prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. An impressive feat for a spirit that was, at the time, only 3 months old. Selected botanicals, including citrus peel, coriander and cubeb pepper, are macerated overnight to ensure the gin is infused with plenty of flavour. This gin has a smooth mouthfeel, clean finish and superb juniper character complemented with subtle flavours from the citrus botanicals.
Greenall’s Gin (RRP $35.99, distributed by Quintessential Brands)
Multi-award winning Greenall’s Original London Dry gin was the first ever London Dry and the gin that started it all.
Distilled in a traditional copper pot, eight botanicals are then added by hand to grain spirit and water. The three main (but not the only) botanicals used are of the highest quality, sourced from around the globe. Wild organic juniper berries procured from the hills of Tuscany in Italy, and coriander seeds supplied from a family run business in Morocco, provide the citrus notes and warm eastern spice to Greenall’s Gin. Lemon peel is grown and dried in the southeast of Spain. The result is a truly memorable dry, rich London gin.
Martin Miller’s Gin (RRP$79.99, distributed by Think Spirits)
This London dry gin has a unique combination of quality botanicals, as well as pure Icelandic water through the distillery process, resulting in a clean delicate flavour with oriental overtones, citrus fragrances and sharp edges. Additionally, with an alcohol volume of 40 per cent it is also one of the few gins that can be enjoyed neat. Martin Miller’s Gin also forms the ideal base for cocktails, which can enhance the subtle flavours of its natural botanicals.
Archie Rose Gin (RRP $74.00, distributed by Archie Rose Distilling Co.)
This gin is balanced, complex and multifaceted. Initial aromas of pine forest and green peppercorn subside to allow lemon balm, violet and citrus to come to the fore. Earthy tones develop along with the scent of carrot cake and spiced nuts, accents of musk and an assortment of flowers. Weighted with a velvety texture, the nose is carried through with summer orchard fruits, freshly mown grass and honey-drizzled ginger cake. Finally, spiced oranges, lemon verbena and spearmint linger on the tongue along with subtle herbal pepper notes.
Sipsmith V.J.O.P (RRP $89.99, distributed by Memorable Drinks)
Fast becoming London’s premium dry gin of choice, Sipsmith has been voted in the top 5 best trending gins by the World’s Top 50 Bars for the last 4 years in a row, with over 30 international awards under their belt. On the nose this clear gin has a junipery pine and cedarwood aroma, with hints of zesty orange. It boasts a big juniper flavour upfront with rich spice and notes of dark chocolate. The overall taste is long and dry with a lovely balance as the juniper shines.
