Every month, we send our Craft Gin Club members a full-sized bottle of amazing craft gin from one of the world’s finest distillers. The Gin of the Month featuring in our July ‘19 box is Theodore Pictish Gin. The botanicals in this fabulous gin are a true exploration of flavour – in fact, only the most intrepid adventurer would be able to fill a foraging basket with these aromatic ingredients!
Here’s how to recognise the flavours of each signature botanical in July’s stunning Gin of the Month.
Pink Pepper
What it is: Don’t be fooled – pink peppercorn isn’t related to black pepper! In fact, these berries grow on trees more closely related to cashews.
Where to find it: The Pink Peppercorn is native to South America but will thrive almost anywhere. In fact, it’s classed as an intrusive species in some parts of the USA.
How to recognise it: While it may not be related to black pepper, pink pepper has the same spicy quality as its darker namesake. Added to that is a light, berry-like sweetness and a piny quality that makes it a great match for juniper.
Citric Pomelo
What it is: The biggest natural citrus fruit on the planet, and one of the oldest.
Where to find it: Native to South and Southeast Asia.
How to recognise it: Pomelo is the primary citrus flavour in Theodore Gin. With none of grapefruit’s bitterness but all its flavour, pomelo’s elegant and understated citrus flavour – with just a hint of sweetness – comes through clearly in distillation.
Bourbon Vetiver
What it is: A green-leafed plant prized by the perfume industry.
Where to find it: This plant is native to Indonesia.
How to recognise it: Bourbon Vetiver is most commonly used in the perfume industry, but much of what makes it so prized in scents can be picked up in gin, as well. With its earthy, smoky scent and spicy notes, it packs a powerful punch within the Theodore Pictish Gin botanical blend.
Kaffir Lime
What it is: A type of lime commonly used in perfume.
Where to find it: Native to tropical Southeast Asia and southern China.
How to recognise it: With its intense citrus fragrance, the kaffir lime is bright and sunny when distilled; look out for a sophisticated citrus note and you’ll spot it.
Pine
What it is: The fragrant needles of the Scottish pine tree.
Where to find it: Endemic to the Scottish Highlands, just like Theodore Pictish Gin.
How to recognise it: Like juniper, this fragrant botanical shines through with its freshness, combined with a woody, sappy sweetness that evolves alongside the botanicals it’s paired with.
Oolong Tea
What it is: A traditional tea produced using a centuries-old oxidisation process.
Where to find it: This tea originated in China, and is now consumed across the world.
How to recognise it: Aside from the grown-up floral scent and depth of flavour tea adds to gin when used as a botanical, it’s also responsible for the beautiful golden colour of Theodore Pictish Gin.
Damask Rose
What it is: A particularly fragrant species of rose, commonly used in perfume and to make rose water.
Where to find it: Legend has it that this rose has roots in the Middle East, but Central Asia is more likely to be this rose’s real home.
How to recognise it: A powerful hit of perfume; the luxurious aroma and mouthfeel of velvety rose petals.
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We work hard to source new, limited edition and exclusive gins for our members, so you can be sure that you'll always receive a truly special gin that you won’t find elsewhere – certainly not in the supermarket.
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