I love gin. I love flavoured gin liqueurs even more. I think it stems from the fact that I have a massively sweet palette, that and the fact that I’m not a huge drinker in general. So although gin is one of my favourite things, and I have a huge collection of them; they tend to last longer for me, as I like to enjoy the odd one or two as a lovely treat, as oppose to drinking half a bottle in one sitting. Gin liqueur tends to be much sweeter, and so probably wouldn’t be drank that fast anyway… perfect for someone like me! I’m always on the hunt for new flavours and brands to try out; and this lovely lot have included in some of my more recent discoveries…
Ableforth’s Bathtub Sloe Gin – This is beautiful. It’s a really decent quality, and those of you who have a sweet tooth will really appreciate it. It can be enjoyed at any time of the year, but it does have a slightly festive feel to it. It’s packed full of cinnamon, clove, marzipan, almond, citrus; and even a hit of vanilla flavouring – it’s gorgeous. I enjoyed mine with good old tonic water, but I’m going to use it to produce some hot mulled sloe gin treats over the festive period. Lovely!
Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger – Ah Edinburgh Gin. I just don’t think they can do any wrong for me. Reasonably priced, and always of the highest quality – they’re a hugely popular name within the gin department, and rightly so. This one visits one of the more popular gin flavours, but one that really works. I already adore Whitley Neil Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, and this just offers a slightly sweeter, lower ABV way to celebrate a perfect flavour pairing.
Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger – This one blew me away. I now want to try all their flavours. A really cool, new flavour idea and one that works magnificently. Jawbox, you have a new fan. Fruit and spice balance each other perfectly, and I literally couldn’t get enough of this. It’s refreshing, light, and is made to be enjoyed. Bravo Jawbox, this has gone straight up there to my top 5 in general, and will most definitely be a repeat purchase.
Zymurgorium Choc a Bloc – Hmm. Whilst their violet offering remains firmly in my top 3 gin liqueurs ever, this slightly disappointed me. At first I thought that perhaps attempting the non fruity sweet additions, such as chocolate, in gin just doesn’t work… but I tried a sample of a Leeds Gin limited edition chocolate flavour a while back, and that was incredible – so I’m not too sure what’s happened here. I tried it with lemonade, but I’m thinking it may work better in something like fresh orange juice, or even just neat. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t unpleasant, it was still an enjoyable drink – but I just didn’t get any chocolate hints from it at all. Zymurgorium I still love you, but I probably won’t be purchasing this one again.
Poetic Licence Baked Apple & Salted Caramel – I have a massively sweet palette, but wow this was just too sweet, even for me. It’s one I’ve tried twice, then never really gone back to. It’s a shame too, as I loved the idea; but I think the emphasis has been put too much on the sweetness, where it really needs more of that apple hit to balance it out. It’s a shame as I thought this was a really innovative flavour idea, but unfortunately it’s just put me off these dessert flavour gins altogether.
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