As Christmas creeps ever closer, David T. Smith takes a gander at our festive treat gin lovers - Yuletide Gin!

When you’re a child, one of the main thoughts that preoccupies you in the run-up to Christmas is... THE PRESENTS.

But as you grow older, attention tends to shift, albeit slightly (after all, who doesn't like a present?), to focus on the food and drink of the season. People like to pull out the stops for the Christmas period in the true spirit of hospitality. At That Boutique-y Gin Company, we’ve taken the same approach to our latest product: Yuletide Gin.

For this release, we’ve distilled Christmas for you dear gin drinkers. Our botanicals include:

  • Juniper;
  • Cassia;
  • Cinnamon;
  • Nutmeg;
  • Raisins;
  • Medjool Dates;
  • Cloves;
  • Allspice;
  • Clementine;
  • Cardamom;
  • Ginger;
  • Whole Pomanders (oranges studded with cloves); and
  • Christmas Tree Needles (Balsam & Douglas Fir)

In addition, we have individually distilled the following:

  • Christmas Cake;
  • Charred oak;
  • Chestnuts;
  • Christmas puddings;
  • A big pile of chocolate truffles;
  • Lebkuchen (German Christmas cookies);
  • Mince pies;
  • Panettone;
  • A whole gingerbread house; and finally...
  • Gold*, Frankincense and Myrrh!

*Well, edible gold flakes which are added after distillation and give the spirit a snow-globe quality.

The gin’s label depicts a snuggly scene with two lovable dogs, suitably festively attired, asleep in front of a roaring fire. Dotted around the room are all of the various items that have been distilled to make the gin; under the tree are the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, as well as a Castle Greyskull (for those of a certain age, the must-have Christmas toy of their childhood). However, please note that, as the bottle says, there is no Castle Greyskull distillate in the gin.

Yuletide Gin - On its own

Nose: Initial notes of Christmas pudding - plump and juicy - burst forth from the glass: succulent raisin, cassia, cinnamon and gingerbread. Gradually, the character of a well-stocked biscuit barrel comes through with buttery shortbread and oatmeal cookies. Then there’s amaretto, flaked almonds, cardamom and candied peel, all before a touch of Christmas tree to close.
Taste: Plump and jammy clementine with a sprinkle of toasted spice, accompanied by a festive medley of fruity, spicy Christmas confectionery: from mince pies to buttery panettone and everything in-between. A definite note of Christmas tree follows, with a floral splash reminiscent of the incense of Midnight Mass.
Finish: Candied citrus, glacé cherries, Turkish delight and toasted pine cone.

When all is said and done, this is an exceptionally complex spirit with lots of hidden flavour nooks that reveal themselves over time.

Festive GT

Adapted from the book “Gin Tonica” by TBGC’s very own David T Smith.
50ml Yuletide Gin, 
150ml Schweppes Indian Tonic Water,
Garnish with a colourful skewer of dried fruit: cranberries, raisins, and apricots.

A simple, but incredibly effective drink, and a good way to use up all of those little fruit nibbles dotted around the place in crystal bowls atop dollies. The tonic really brings out the spice and fruit of the gin.

Yuletide Mule

50ml Yuletide Gin, 
10ml Fresh Lime Juice, 
20ml Clementine Juice, 
120ml Ginger Beer

Another cocktail full of Christmas spice with plump, sweet citrus that perfectly complements the complex spice of the gin. The ginger adds body and additional spice, whilst the lime adds just enough bite to stop it from becoming overly confectionery in nature.

Christmas Morning Fizz

15ml Yuletide Gin, 
60ml Sparkling Wine of Choice
Add the gin to a champagne flute and top-up with the wine; a twist of orange peel makes a pleasant garnish.

A glass of fizz in a Champagne flute makes for a great festive start to the big day and just a splash of Yuletide gin is a fun addition. The gin not only adds a spiced complexity but, if you’re lucky, the gold flakes dance up and down in the bubbles, too - mesmerizing.

Alexander (Winterised Version)

30ml Yuletide Gin, 
10ml Creme de Cacao, 
30ml Cream
Shake with ice and strain into your cocktail glass, before garnishing with a little grated nutmeg.

A variation on the chocolatey and creamy Alexander, using Yuletide Gin to provide extra spice. This cocktail really seems to bring out the gingerbread elements of the spirit. For a dryer drink, try using Mozart Chocolate Spirit instead of Creme de Cacao. 

"Yuletidings We Bring"

35ml Yuletide Gin, 
10ml Pedro Ximinez Sherry, 
10ml Lemon Juice, 
60ml Boiling Water

A warm winter drink, perfect for warming the cockles after a cold night out carolling or whatever you like to get up to. The Sherry add a rich fruitiness, which is a great complement to the gin’s spiced notes; whilst the lemon juice adds balance and the water both adds warmth and lengthens the drink.

Overall, Yuletide Gin is a festive treat with plenty of mixing possibilities; a bit of fun for Christmas and a perfect spirit to share with loved ones.

DTS