Geranium Gin (700ml)

The Gin category has been expanding at a remarkable rate. Sophisticated marketing from relative newcomers and strong support from the bartending community have helped. Gin is no longer perceived as the tipple of eldery dames. Significant advances have also been made in flavour. Innovative efforts to incorporate non-traditional botanicals have reinvigorated the standard juniper heavy ‘London Dry’ profile, leading it in some surprising directions. G’Vine, Citadelle and Hendricks are some of the more successful examples of these. Here is another.

Part time bartender, Jay Hepburn (http://ohgo.sh/) gives a concise and enthusiastic introduction to Geranium Gin, “...the creation of Henrik Hammer, an accredited gin judge who had been pondering the use of geranium in gin for years, knowing that it is regularly combined with ingredients like juniper and angelica in the therapeutic world. Together with his chemist father they chemically analysed geranium and found that the significant oils were those like geraniol formate, rose oxide and citronelol which are present in most fruits, vegetables and spices – therefore theoretically making it a good mixer. The challenge was how to get the oils out of the geranium and in to the gin, but luckily Henrik’s father had worked with essential oils for the perfume and food industry in decades.

Using a small 5 litre still they set about experimenting with using geranium in the botanical mix. Having found the best ways to process and distill the geranium they turned to the Langley Distillery in Birmingham, England, who produce a number of famous gins including Martin Miller’s, to fine tune the recipe for full scale production. The final product is distilled using pure wheat grain alcohol and ten botanicals including juniper, geranium (which is harvested from Denmark and used fresh), lemon, coriander, cassia, orris root, angelica and liquorice which are steeped for 48 hours prior to distillation.

Tasting note: Clear with a silvery appearance. The aroma is true to London Dry style with classic piney/woody/peppery notes (juniper) combining with delicate citrus peel. The palate repeats the aromas; medium dry with good concentration. A peppercorn spiciness adds depth and contributes a gently warming mouthfeel. Finishes wonderfully clean and dry with a delicate rose petal, peppercorn and mineral fade. Nicely done. 44% Alc./Vol.

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