Hernö Sloe Gin
A Swedish Gin company, that have won Gin Producer of the Year several years running, Hernö do not actually advertise the sloe gin on the landing page of their website (which is otherwise one of the easiest to navigate).
The general practice of the distillery is to date each bottle they produce and number it - as well as bearing a signature on the label - so this presumably go to explain (along with the many prestigious awards won by the company) why this Sloe Gin is a little more expensive than the only other example in the calendar at £38.95/50cl (£77.90/L).
However, I have to say that this gin really does deliver an excellent deep flavour - with just a touch of the honey they use to sweeten it a little. A very good sloe gin - the closest I've ever had commercially to a home-made one - but with rather more refinement. Definitely one to get for the cupboard if you don't drink it all in one sitting!
Fifty-Eight Gin
What a surprise - a website that isn't actually too high on the arse-factor - it looks pretty, but doesn't take 5000 clicks to make it to the botanical information.
Tasting notes from their 'signature serves' section (but the botanicals are listed on the main page).
Our gin is characterised by its pungent aromas of juniper, candied ginger, zesty lemon, coriander, cubeb pepper, and ending with a superbly clean, soft mouthfeel.Quite pleasant, with a spicy aftertaste when neat, the flavour of this one is possibly a bit too subtle when tonic is added. The website offers a few cocktail ideas (all of which are neat) so it does seem to be one that is better left to its own devices or over ice.
It's a nice rounded flavour - I'm sure very good in a martini. But at £34.75 for a 50cl (£69.50/L) I'm not sure I would personally leap at keeping it in the cupboard as I'm not a huge cocktail drinker. However, definitely one of the nicer ones in the calendar selection to drink on its own.
AND FOR AN ADDED BONUS ... Edinburgh Gin's Christmas Edition
This annual Christmas edition from one of my home (Edinburgh obviously) distilleries is a gin you can sometimes get a wee taste of on their tour. It's definitely NOT one to drown in tonic - it's a very subtle flavour with tonnes of orange to it. A splash of mixer is enough to loosen the flavour, or possibly better just served over ice. One to keep for special visitors - but rather scrummy - and generally about £35 for 70cl (£50/L) when you can get it, so not one that breaks the bank. Plus who could resist a Christmas gin flavoured with Frankincense and Myrrh? This was one of the gins I was drinking on Christmas day - so I thought it should get a look in!
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