A quick look at... Our Double-Barrel Gin from Cotswolds

Worlds collide (or should that be barrels?) as David T Smith gives us the low-down on Cotswolds' Double-Barrel Gin.

The Cotswolds Distillery, located in the picturesque Shipston-on-Stour, was founded by Daniel Szor in 2012 and they released their first gin in 2014. Their flagship Cotswolds Dry Gin is a botanically intense gin whose recipe includes: juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, cardamom, lime, grapefruit, black pepper, lavender and bay leaf.

In addition, the distillery has released a series of limited editions, some only available directly from the distillery shop. These include: Hedgerow Gin, Baharat Gin, Chamomile and Hop Gin, and Countess Grey Gin.

In 2016, they also released 1616, a gin that harked back to the time of Shakespeare. It had a botanical mix including juniper, cassia, nutmeg and orange peel, included some of their unaged single malt spirit, and was aged in ex red-wine casks.

Since their return to the market in 2007, barrel-aged gins have slowly and steadily been growing in popularity bit by bit. Many relied on the tried-and-tested method of ex-bourbon cask aging for 3-6 months, which adds a pleasant, mellow sweetness to the spirit. A number of great products are made like this, but it can sometimes leave the more adventurous gin drinker wanting more. 

The Gin

To make Cotswolds Double-Barrelled Gin, the distillery age two batches of Cotswolds Dry Gin: the first in ex-red wine casks and the second in ex-bourbon casks. The two are then blended together. As well as providing additional depth and complexity to the gin, this method is also a nod to how Cotswolds makes its Single Malt Whisky, which is made using spirits aged in these two types of casks.

The Label
A rare insight into the Cotswolds Distillery’s secret research laboratory, where all sorts of marvelous creations are experimented with. On the back wall, you can spot the Cotswolds botanical library, featuring single distillates of a wide range of interesting flora. 

In the front and centre of scene are distiller, Nickolas Franchino, and Dan Szor, who have together created an unholy hybrid of a barrel - a cask-fusion of red wine and ex-bourbon staves. They laugh maniacally as they challenge the forces of nature and defiant flashes of lightning bring their creation - a modern prometheus - to “life”. 

The Taste
Nose: Fruity, woody, and resinous. Intriguing, with a great ability to draw you into the glass.
Taste: Zesty and spiced woody notes - rather vivacious! Rich fruity notes of plum and grape, with cinnamon sugar towards the end.
Finish: Long and lingering; a lovely balance of juniper and black pepper.

In the words of the distillers...

1) Can you describe the inspiration / development process behind this gin?

We make whisky and we make gin, so it was logical for us to start experimenting with barrel-aging our gin. The two main casks used to age our whisky are 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels from Kentucky and ex-red wine barriques from Portugal.  The two of them go extremely well together when blending whisky, so we thought: why not try it with our gin? We aged our Cotswolds Dry Gin for 3 months in both barrels and then blended them together. The honey and vanilla notes of the ex-bourbon cask are complemented by the fruity notes of the ex-red wine barrel and presto!  Double-barrel gin was born. The name seemed perfect coming from the Cotswolds, with its many double-barrelled residents…

2) What makes this gin different from the rest of your range?

Our flagship Cotswolds Dry Gin is unaged, and our only barrel-aged gin – 1616 – is a whisky-based gin akin to a Dutch Genever. This is the only available barrel-aged expression of our Dry Gin, and we think it’s come out rather nicely!

3) Do you have any suggested serves / cocktail recipes for the gin?

Our experience with our own 1616 barrel-aged gin has taught us that the botanical notes and deep woodiness work really well in a Mule cocktail. We’d therefore suggest using our Double-Barrelled Gin as the base for a Cotswolds Mule, as per below:

Cotswolds Mule
50ml Double-Barrelled Aged Gin
15ml King's Ginger Liqueur
15ml lime juice
8ml  triple sec
Top up with ginger ale or ginger beer
Place the first 4 ingredients into an ice filled shaker, shake and strain into ice filled copper mug & top up with Ginger Ale – stir & serve. Embelish with mint, lime & ginger.

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A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Chocolate Orange Gin

David T. Smith takes a look at a way to enjoy the deliciousness of a Chocolate Orange without having to hit something with a hammer - Chocolate Orange Gin!

In the 1930s, chocolatiers began to experiment with flavouring chocolate using flavour oils, incidentally often created by distillation. One of the early products created using this method was the chocolate orange, first sold in 1932. Previously, the same company had made a “dessert chocolate apple” (produced from 1926-1954); sadly, it was not apple-flavoured, just apple-shaped. Other flavoured chocolate joy-joys included a pineapple chocolate and the oh-so seventies chocolate lemon.

The chocolate orange has now been a favourite for birthdays and Christmas presents for generations and, at the height of their popularity, one in ten Christmas stockings contained this sweet treat.

The Gin

That Boutique-y Gin Company's Chocolate Orange Gin is flavoured completely via distillation (hence it is technically a  “London Dry Gin”), with no flavourings being added afterwards. A selection of core gin botanicals make up the base of the botanical recipe, to which are added zesty bitter orange and rich cocoa nibs. The result is a slinky, creamy and decadent spirit.

The Label
The label shows a cocoa nib covered in a gradually-unravelling orange peel. A display of boxed chocolate oranges sit on a table in the background, all of which seem to be slightly shop-soiled; no doubt they can be had for a song (or perhaps a cheeky plug for the retailer). One lucky, lucky lady called Jill seems to be the only person who will receive their confectionery in mint condition. 

However, if the temperature on the wall is to be believed, all of the chocolate oranges are in peril of melting and congealing to form an almost inedible, hardened cricket ball of chocolate when they are rechilled. Thankfully, TBGC Chocolate Orange Gin will not melt in your hand.

The Taste
Nose: A bright and enticing nose with dry cocoa and the zingy “zip” of orange. Fantastic!
Taste: A thick and creamy spirit that perfectly creates the illusion of chocolate orange with notes of milk chocolate and zesty orange.
Finish: Lingering citrus and a pinch of juniper and pepper.
Fans of the spherical chocolatey treat will fall head-over-heels for this one.

The Drinks

Hot Chocolate Orange
25ml TBGC Chocolate Orange Gin
100ml milk
18-20 Cadbury’s Chocolate Buttons
Add the chocolate buttons to the milk and stir. Heat in the microwave for two periods of 30 seconds each, stirring in between. Stir again once heated to ensure that all of the chocolate melts, before adding the gin. Leave to stand for a minute before stirring once more and then serving.

ChocOrange Alexander
40ml TBGC Chocolate Orange Gin
30ml Creme de Cacao
30ml single cream
10ml brandy (optional)
Add all of the ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly with ice, fine strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with crumbled flake or nutmeg.

This is a variation on the Alexander cocktail from the early 20th century, which was traditionally gin-based, but was later modified to use brandy instead. This recipe uses both.

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A quick look at... Our Double-Sloe Gin from Whittaker's Gin

Sloe like you've never seen it before - David T Smith investigates Double-Sloe Gin from Whittaker's Gin...

As we find ourselves in the depth of winter, with early morning frosts and the occasional flurry of snow, drinkers’ thoughts rightly turn to the hot toddy and other cosy spirits that are like a snuggly hug in a glass. For gin lovers, this is often in the form of sloe gin.

The world and its dog seems to make sloe gin, with each person having their own secret recipe and ritual. I have it on very good authority that even Prince Philip makes, or at least he used to make, sloe gin for the Royal Household.

So for the first That Boutique-y Gin Company product involving sloe berries, we’ve approached the subject from a slightly different angle. This project is in partnership with Toby & Jane Whittaker of Harrogate Distillery, makers of Whittaker's Gin. The husband and wife team founded Whittaker’s Gin in 2015 and their range of gins already includes:

- Whittaker’s Gin Original;
- Whittaker’s Gin Clearly Sloe;
- Whittaker’s Gin Navy Strength; and
- Whittaker’s Gin Pink Particular.

The Gin

That Boutique-y Gin Company Double-Sloe Gin uses Whittaker’s Clearly Sloe as a base (this is their redistilled - and therefore clear - sloe gin), to which are added extra sloes, as well as a gentle sweetness. The result is a gin that is both complex and has a deep sloe character, with a wide range of aromas and flavours coming from each stage of the production process.

The Label
A slightly spooky scene: front and centre is a black rabbit with glowing sloe berries for eyes; whilst it may initially appear to be sinister, it’s far more mysterious than menacing. The spooky label is a nod to the fact that the Clearly Sloe (is like a “ghostly” (transparent) version of a traditional sloe gin. In the background, a supermoon illuminates two local landmarks: Ripon Cathedral and the famous Betty’s Tea Room in Harrogate.

The Taste
Nose: Soft, but with plenty going on: fleks of cherry blossom, almond and vanilla blossom before the nose settles into plump, but dry notes of sloe and pine.
Taste: Slightly nutty and oily to start with deep, rich and crisp pine notes - fresh and invigorating. Notes of sloe berry follow: tart, but with a ribbon of sweet vanilla and cherry running through it.
Finish: Cherry stones and vanilla with a lingering zip of tart berries and pine needles.

This is certainly a “ginnier” sloe-flavoured gin that is both dryer and more mixable. If the old liqueur sloe gin was the king of winter gin drinking then, thanks to Double Sloe, the king has lost his crown.

The Drinks

With Ginger Ale
50ml Double-Sloe Gin
150ml ginger ale

There is a real beauty in the simplicity of this drink. The light ginger notes work incredibly well alongside the jamminess and slight tartness of the gin. A delight to drink.

Double-Sloe Pro
20ml Double-Sloe Gin
100ml rose prosecco
Add gin to a flute glass and top-up with prosecco.

Another very simple drink to make, but one that brings out the plump fruitiness in both the spirit and the wine marvellously. A great way to start a festive party.

Sloe Gin Fizz
50ml Double-Sloe Gin
25ml lemon juice
10ml simple sugar syrup
Add ingredients to a well-iced tumbler glass and gently stir before topping up with sparkling/soda water.

This drink is dryer than your typical Sloe Gin Fizz, and a good choice for an aperitif to help raise the appetite. A crisp drink with a complex character.

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A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Finger Lime Gin

Australia is on our mind right now - not just because we're sick of this cold winter, but because finger limes are amazing! David T. Smith gives us a look at That Boutique-y Gin Company Finger Lime Gin.

The last few years have seen a great increase in the number of Australian gins on the market. These spirits have helped to introduce the world to a host of previously unknown ingredients only found on the island continent, such as lemon myrtle, wattle seed and finger limes. It is the last of these that is particularly fascinating....

The finger lime (citrus australasica) is a citrus fruit similar in size, shape and appearance to a gherkin. Inside the fruit’s slightly crunchy skin are innumerous round, tangy globules that pop in the mouth with a zesty zing, hence their nickname: “lime caviar” - an apt description.

Finger limes are endemic to Australia and grow around the borders of Queensland and New South Wales. The plants are relatively short and thorny, and form part of the scrubland in the region.

The Gin

That Boutique-y Gin Company Finger Lime Gin is made using a mix of classic gin botanicals to which whole finger limes are added. The final product, bottled at 46% ABV, is a zesty and lively gin with a hint of intrigue.

The Label
The label shows a colourful array of cracked finger limes sat atop a mound of ripe juniper berries; the zesty caviar oozes forth from the fruit.

The Taste
Nose: Lemon and lime sherbert with a hint of violet and turkish delight.
Taste: A creamy mouthfeel with notes of vanilla and a mix of lime jelly and lemon posset, then a gentle hint of cinnamon spice and a touch of key lime pie before more dry, earthy notes.
Finish: A bright finish of lime zest; effervescent with a leafyness and a touch of pink peppercorn.

The Drinks

Finger Lime Buck
50ml Finger Lime Gin
150ml ginger ale
Twist of lime peel
Add ingredients to a tall, well-iced glass.

A long and refreshing drink with lots of oily citrus, a light creaminess and more floral citrus notes to finish. Bright and delicious.

Gimlet
50ml Finger Lime Gin
20ml lime cordial
Garnish with a thin piece of lime peel

Wowzers! That is a fine Gimlet. It really brings the various lime elements to life, producing a very vibrant drink with great depth that is both well-balanced and graceful. A must try.

Finger Lime Bracer
50ml Finger Lime Gin
25ml dry vermouth
10ml lemon juice
Shake ingredients vigorously with ice and fine strain into a cocktail glass. 

This is a dry, crisp cocktail that really allows some of the more nuanced, creamy aspects of the finger lime to come through.

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A quick look at... Our Chocolate Cherry Gin from McQueen

Got a bit of a sweet tooth? Well, McQueen has just the thing to satisfy it - Chocolate Cherry Gin! David T. Smith investigates...

If there is a flavour that we at That Boutique-y Gin Company know works well with gin, it’s cherry; the popularity of our Cherry Gin shows that the world of gin drinkers likes it, too. Another flavour that works well with cherry is chocolate and so for this release we have teamed up with McQueen Gin from Trossachs Distillery; they are already well-known for their mint chocolate and mocha gins, so it seemed like a bit of a no-brainer.

Trossachs Distillery, located in Callander, Scotland, are the team behind McQueen Gin, founded in 2016 by Vicky and Dale McQueen. Vicky has a background as a chef and Master Baker, whilst Dale is a chartered mechanical engineer.

Their initial gin line-up consisted of “Sweet citrus”, “Smoky Chilli”, Chocolate Mint” and “Mocha” (aka chocolate-coffee). Soon after, they released a flagship, classic London Dry Gin and, in Christmas 2017, they released a White Chocolate and Raspberry special edition gin.

The Gin

Taking a base gin of botanicals used in other McQueen gins, the distillery team have added chocolate and organic, dried sour cherries from Uzbekistan. The gin is 100% distilled - so all of its flavour comes from its botanicals and not flavours added after distillation - and technically qualifies as a London Dry Gin.

The Label
The founders of McQueen Gin, Vicky & Dale McQueen, sit aboard a rowing boat, floating on a loch in the Trossachs. Dale is picking some fresh fruit from a cherry tree on the bank of the loch, perfect for a garnish to a gin tonic he’s just made or to top a slice of decadent Black Forest Gateau, evidently homemade by Vicky herself. Two other members of the family, dogs Rosie and Snowy, are looking longingly at the bank, probably hoping for a run around.

The Taste
Nose: Soft, dry cocoa with a peek of black cherry.
Taste: Dark chocolate sauce, before the arrival of chocolate-dipped black cherries, which add a lightly tart fruitiness.
Finish: Dry juniper, as well as an encore of chocolate - think of a chocolate sponge cake complete with chocolate curls.

The Drinks

Choc-cherry Gin Tonic
50ml Chocolate Cherry Gin
150ml Tonic Water (Peter Spanton’s No9 Tonic Cardamom is ideal, but this recipe works well with any standard Indian tonic
Fill a large wine glass or gin tonic glass with ice, and add the gin, then the tonic. Garnish with a cherry and a dash of chocolate bitters and, for an indulgent touch, some chocolate shavings or crushed Cadbury Flake.

CC Deluxe
25ml Chocolate Cherry Gin
25ml double cream
1 tsp brown sugar
A do-it-yourself cream “liqueur”. Stir the ingredients together and then pour into a tumbler. Serve with a couple of ice cubes.

An indulgent treat, ideal at the end of an evening, but great any time. Why not pre-batch a few drinks’ worth in a bottle and keep it in the fridge?

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A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Rhubarb Triangle Gin

Yorkshire is calling as David T. Smith has a gander at our Rhubarb Triangle Gin...

Whether stewed, baked in a crumble or pie, juiced, or in old-fashioned boiled sweets, rhubarb is an enduring flavour and its popularity is on the rise.

Originally from Siberia, rhubarb also grows well in the UK climate; in particular, that of Yorkshire. The growing conditions in “God’s Own County, as the region is sometimes known, are so ideal that between the settlements of Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield was an area known as the “Rhubarb Triangle”. This area was home to many rhubarb farmers and, at its peak in the 1930s, the area produced 90% of the world’s supply of winter rhubarb. The Great Northern Railway ran “Rhubarb Specials” express trains, which ran between the Triangle and London and could carry 200 tonnes of rhubarb to the capital each day.

The Gin

For That Boutique-y Gin Company Rhubarb Triangle Gin, all of the rhubarb is sourced from this historic area. Rather than the forced winter rhubarb, which grows in complete darkness, the gin uses rhubarb that has been grown in sunlight, producing a tarter, bolder character. Rhubarb Triangle is made with fresh rhubarb and a base gin with a range of classic botanicals. The result is a complex and versatile spirit that captures the whole spectrum of rhubarb flavour.

The Taste
Nose: The sparkling zing of crisp rhubarb with lemon shortbread.
Taste: A voluptuous texture with powerful rhubarb notes coming through, complex and fresh. A zip of citrus, pinch of spice and then the unmistakeable dry flavour of juniper.
Finish: Refined and lasting hints of rhubarb crumble, rhubarb soda, and even a touch of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Overall: The one word to describe this gin is complex; this spirit takes rhubarb gin to the third dimension.

The Label
Three luscious leafy stalks of rhubarb lounge on a bed of juniper. The leaves of each stalk have mysteriously grown to take the forms of the coats of arms for the three settlements that make up the corners of the Rhubarb Triangle: the apex leaf is Leeds, the bottom right is Wakefield, and the bottom-left is Bradford.

The Drinks

Hot Rhubarb
35ml Rhubarb Triangle GIn
1tsp honey
Juice of half a lemon
100ml hot water
Add the gin, honey and lemon to a heatproof glass or mug and top-up with hot water. Garnish with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

A warming and cosy drink, great to enjoy on those early winter nights. Bright and bold with enough flavour to enjoy even when you’ve got the sniffles.

Rhubarb Retro
50ml Rhubarb Triangle Gin
100ml Cream Soda
Wedge or two of lime
Fill a tall glass with ice, add the gin, then the cream soda and two wedges of lime. For a tarter drink, squeeze one or two of the wedges into the drink.

A blast from the past with the use of the youthful cream soda, which adds bright, creamy vanilla notes, almost reminiscent of a light custard.

Rhubarb Rogue
50ml Rhubarb Triangle Gin
25ml Ginger Wine
Shake ingredients with ice and then fine-strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon and (if you have it) a small gingerbread cookie on the side. 

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A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Icewine Old Tom

That Boutique-y Gin Company's David T. Smith gives us the lowdown on the Icewine Old Tom...

The recent revival of Old Tom Gin, which had all but vanished 10 years ago, has seen various distilleries innovate to give this historic product a twist, bringing it up to date for the modern day. Old Tom’s were typically sweetened and more botanically intense than other gins, in part to help disguise the flavour of the underlying alcohol on which the spirit was based.

Back in the 18th century, distillers would have used whatever was to hand to sweeten gin. In the case of a product like Gordon’s, this was simply pure cane sugar, whilst others were botanically sweetened with liquorice root.

In the 21st century, distillers are using a host of different ingredients to add sweetness - and sometimes more complexity - to their gin, including honey, caramelized demerara, stevia and agave syrup. For Icewine Old Tom, That Boutique-y Gin Company has used Canadian Icewine.

What is Icewine?
Icewine is a sweet dessert wine that is made using grapes that freeze whilst still on the vine due to cold weather. The water inside the vines freezes, but the other components, such as sugar and any other solids dissolved in the water, do not.

When the grapes are pressed, the must (the juice that comes from the squeezed grapes) is concentrated with the flavours and sweetness of the wine. It also means that the yield (i.e. how much wine you can make) is smaller than a wine made using the equivalent quantity of non-frozen grapes.

The main icewine producing nations are Germany (where it is known as Eiswein) and Canada (mostly Ontario), although some is also made in the US, Japan and many central and eastern countries in Europe.

Icewine Old Tom

That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Icewine Old Tom takes a classic, copper pot distilled gin and adds Icewine from Canada (where in order to be considered icewine, the grapes must be harvested at a temperature not exceeding -8°C). Lemon, lime and liquorice root are also added to the gin’s botanical mix.

The Label
The label shows our classy cat, looking rather pleased with himself as he strolls through a frozen vineyard, snug as a bug in a rug whilst sipping on a Tom Collins. In the background, you can see the majestic Niagara Falls - a nod to the major Icewine producing nation of Canada.

The Taste
Nose: Intriguing, with a deep muskiness and hints of grapefruit; close your eyes and breathe it in!
Taste: Honey and raisins with little flecks of spice and pine.
Finish: The sweet complexity of Sauternes with the dryness of a white Pineau des Charentes. A delight for gin and wine lovers.

The Drinks

Icewine Old Tom Collins
50ml Icewine Old Tom
20ml Lemon Juice
75ml Sparkling Water
Garnish with a few frozen grapes.
Add the Icewine Old Tom and citrus to a wine or gin tonic glass half full of ice and give it a gentle stir. Add the sparkling water and garnish.

This recipe breaks with tradition as it is designed to be served in a wine glass or even a gin tonica glass rather than the traditional long and tall collins glasses. The wider-rimmed wine glass makes it easier to appreciate the complex aromas of the spirit, whilst also making it easier to retrieve the grape garnish to munch on when the drink is finished.

Icewine Old Tom Aperitif
50ml Icewine Old Tom
50ml Red Vermouth
3-4 dashes Aromatic Bitters (optional)
Add both ingredients to a large wine glass - or, even better, a brandy snifter - and add a couple of ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of orange.

Ice Wine Old Tom & Ginger
50ml Icewine Old Tom
150ml Ginger Ale
Garnish with lime wedge
Add the ice to a tumbler or old-fashioned glass. Pour the Icewine Old Tom over the ice, top up with ginger ale, and garnish with a lime wedge. For a more tart drink, simply squeeze the lime wedge.

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A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Very Old Tom

David T. Smith gives us a guided tour of That Boutique-y Gin Company's Very Old Tom and its various uses in cocktails...

Old Tom was popular type of gin in the mid 19th century and, due to the equipment used to make gin at the time, the alcohol used to make gin - its “base spirit” - had a lot more character that contributed to the gin’s final flavour. The gin was often sweetened and was usually stored in casks rather than bottles and so gins may have been lightly aged.

With Very Old Tom, That Boutique-y Gin Company have been inspired by these historical Old Toms and brought the style back to the future, whilst updating it for the 21st century.

The base spirit is a glorious medley of different spirits including: vodka, brandy, whisky and rum, which are blended together before being combined with a selection of botanicals including:

Juniper
Coriander
Angelica Root
Bitter Orange
Liquorice

Finally, it is gently sweetened with cane sugar, just as you would expect from an Old Tom.

The blend of different base spirits adds an intriguing nuance to the spirit and, as some of the spirits in the base are aged (some for a bit and some for a considerable amount of time) there is a pleasant woody character, too.

The label shows a rather dapper cat, dressed in the finest spiffery of a wine red velvet smoking jacket and fine Italian loafers. As he luxuriates in the high-back arm chair, the cat is surrounded by a library of spirits adorning the walls above the fireplace; just a glimpse of the variety of spirits that go into making Very Old Tom. This snug scene would be the perfect place to enjoy a snifter or two of the spirit, either from a brandy balloon or in a heavy-bottomed glass with a cube or two of ice.

Tasting Notes
Nose: A game of hide-and-seek is going on with this nose, but you can pick out the full range of various spirit notes including: smoky whisky, mellow rum, perhaps even the fruitiness of grape?
Taste: The flavour starts as a tight little ball of sweetness and spice that gradually unravels, revealing notes of orange and nutmeg, cardamom and juniper, along with an array of complex wood notes.
Finish: A little cherry and some earthiness from the liquorice, before flavours of marmalade sponge covered in toasted brown sugar.

In addition to the sippability of the spirit, it mixes well in a variety of drinks including:

Meow-tinez

50ml Very Old Tom
25ml Red Vermouth
1 teaspoon of Orange Marmalade

Vigorously shake or stir (depending on your preference) all of the ingredients with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass using a fine-mesh (or clean tea) strainer, to ensure any lumps of marmalade peel don’t end up in your drink.

Very Old Fashioned

50ml Very Old Tom
10ml of Maraschino
3-4 dashes of bitters

Add the ingredients to a large tumbler and fill with ice. Stir. Enjoy directly from the glass or, if you prefer your drink without ice, strain into a smaller, pre-chilled tumbler.

The Maraschino adds an indulgent cherry note that goes well with the Very Old Tom’s woody spice. You could also use Grand Marnier or Cointreau to give the drink a warm, orangey glow. Essentially any liqueur could be used in place of the Maraschino, although steer clear of any cream ones!

Nine Lives Highball

25ml Very Old Tom
75-100ml Sparkling Water
Orange Peel Garnish
Fill an (ideally pre-chilled) tall glass with ice cubes before adding the spirit and then the water. Garnish with a twist of orange peel and a stirring stick.

Inspired by the Highball of Japanese Whisky, this is a refreshing way to enjoy the nuances of the spirit.

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Our Multitude of Medals from The Design & Packaging Masters

We swiped an admirable cluster of medals from The Design & Packaging Masters, which just happen to go handsomely with our medals from The Gin Masters from earlier this year...

We have often boasted about the labels that the talented Grace J Ward designs for our assortment of gins. No matter how bizarre the brief (honestly, the amount of times we feel the need to preface them with "Right, so..." is astounding), Grace's work never fail to impress. And it's not just us impressed by them - we've just scooped up an armful of medals from The Design & Packaging Masters!

Our Moonshot Gin, Expeditionary Gin and the recently released Yuletide Gin all were awarded Design & Packaging Masters Gold Medals, while our Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin and Cherry Gin each picked up a  Design & Packaging Masters Silver Medal! High-fives all around!

These medals are quite an honour indeed, and they most certainly complement the pair of Master Medals from The Gin Masters awarded to our Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin and Cherry Gin earlier this year. 

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Yuletide Gin

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

Best Old Tom at the Craft Distilling Expo!

That Boutique-y Gin Company has snapped up a host of accolades at the London Craft Distilling Expo Gin of the Year awards – including Old Tom of the Year for our Very Old Tom!

2017 marked the fifth edition of the Craft Distilling Expo Gin of the Year Awards, and from almost 80 entries That Boutique-y Gin Company was recognised with a slew of ‘Highly Commended’ nods, alongside the big one: that Old Tom of the Year award.

A panel of judges assessed all the gin entries in strict blind tasting conditions over two rounds. Only the best in class were put forward to the second tasting, and we’re delighted that our wonderful Boutique-y Gin bottlings performed so well!

In the Classic Gin category we were awarded not one but two high commendations, with Shortcross Estate-foraged Gin and Moonshot Gin both impressing the panel.

Our Bathtub Single Cask #12 bottling shone in the Matured Gin category, also picking up a high commendation...

... as did our Greensand Ridge Cobnut Green expression in the Contemporary Gin category.

But it was our Very Old Tom that really stole the show, picking up the Old Tom of the Year accolade and beating off the all competition.

It’s an incredibly exciting set of wins for us and our marvellous friends at Shortcross Estate and Bathtub Gin. Time for a celebratory G&T, anyone?

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Cherry Gin

David T Smith serves up knowledge and cocktail ideas for our very own Master medal-winning Cherry Gin...

Who doesn’t love cherry? This plump little stone fruit is a popular flavour in a lot of food and drinks: from cherry bakewell to cherry cola, and cherry pie to cherryade. But what about something a little bit stronger than bottles of fizzy cherryade pop? There’s dry Kirschwasser, super-sweet Cherry Brandy (a particular favourite of my great grandmother - for medicinal purposes only, of course), and now there’s something in the middle: Cherry Gin.

The Cherry Gin takes a classic gin base, made with the most traditional of botanicals, and adds both sweet and sour marasca cherries. Known for their ability to give you fuller, thicker lashes - scratch that, that’s mascara cherries…

Tasting Notes

Nose: Plump and juicy - homemade cherry pie with a generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream.
Taste: The succulent fruity sweetness of cherry, a touch of spice, and a slight citrus tang.
Finish: The lingering tartness of sour cherries, accompanied by the juniper berry, which makes an encore appearance.

Whilst the gin is extremely sippable over ice or served frappe with a wedge of lime, it really shines in mixed drinks. The most obvious (and slightly controversial) of which is with cola.

Cherry (Gin) Cola
35ml Cherry Gin
5-10ml Lime Juice
150ml Cola
Add ingredients to a well-iced glass.

The rich and juicy cherry notes are perfectly offset by the light twang of lime, which adds balance and zest. A simple, but refreshing drink.

Old-Time Cherry-Chocolate Float
35ml Cherry Gin
150ml Sparkling Water
Chocolate Syrup
Vanilla ice-cream

Coat a tall glass with chocolate syrup
Add Cherry Gin
Add 100ml Chilled Sparkling Water
Add 1 small scoop of vanilla ice-cream
Top up with the rest of the sparkling water
Add a straw, sip and enjoy.

This drink is an indulgent treat and a nice alternative to a dessert. No ice is needed, so it is neither too cold nor too watery.

Cherry Rickey
25ml Cherry Gin
Juice of half a lime
75ml Sparkling Water
Add ingredients to a well-iced glass.

A light and refreshing drink with tart zestiness from the lime; sweet, fruity, jammy nature of the cherry; and intriguing, dry hints of dry gin botanicals on the finish. Balanced and moreish.

The Chezney
25ml Cherry Gin
25ml Luxury Coffee Liqueur (such as Conker Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur)
150ml Chilled Sparkling Water

A slightly dryer and more complex version of the Old-Time Cherry-Chocolate Float, with the coffee adding dark, bold flavours and a hint of bitterness that balances out the sweetness of the fruit gin.

These are just a few ideas for drinks using the Cherry Gin, but there are plenty more to be discovered. Chocolate and cherry is a great combination to try, but - perhaps unexpectedly - cherry and basil is another winning partnership, amongst many others - there are so many possibilities!

DTS

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

That Boutique-y Gin Company's Advent Calendar!

September has only just arrived, but that doesn't stop us from being excited about our very own Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar - which you can pre-order right now!

Christmas is coming, and though the goose may not be very fat quite yet, we're feeling very festive indeed. Why? Because Drinks by the Dram have just announced their selection of booze-filled Advent Calendars, and this year (our first Christmas), we have our very own Advent Calendar!

Regard with awe - it's That Boutique-y Gin Company's Advent Calendar. Within this wonderful cardboard cuboid you'll find 24 hand-waxed drams of That Boutique-y Gin Company gins - some indie bottlings from talented producers around the world, some of our own creation and some completely new releases that haven't even seen the light of day yet! The Christmas countdown just got a little more delicious.

These little rascals are available for pre-order right now, so you know what to do. Now, if you'll excuse us, this tinsel isn't going to staple itself to our desk fans.

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

Swedish Rose Gin Wins Big!

Our Swedish Rose Gin from Hernö has claimed the London Dry Gin Trophy at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2017!

We barely had time to organise our huge haul of medals from the Gin Masters in our trophy cabinet before having to rearrange them all to make room for a massive prize - the International Wine & Spirit Competition judges have awarded our Swedish Rose Gin from the esteemed Hernö distillery the coveted London Dry Gin Trophy!

As you might expect, we're absolutely over the moon - in fact, we're so excited that it'd be fair to say that we're over a selection of moons from other planets, including Ganymede, Enceladus and Phobos. There was plenty of competition, with about 400 gin entries and around half of them being London Dry, making this a massive win for ourselves and the brilliant Hernö chaps. 

Here's what the judges had to say about Swedish Rose Gin...

"Complex, classic, intense nose that is bright and lifted. Intense, citrus, juniper heavy pronounced nose personified. Incredibly intense, vivid and fresh in the mouth, zesty, powerfully botanical with explosive flavour."

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

A quick look at... That Boutique-y Gin Company's Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin

David T Smith takes a closer look at our Master medal-winning Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin, and gives you a bunch of tantalising cocktail ideas...

During the second Golden Age of the cocktail (1950 to the 1960s), liqueurs and cordials were all the rage, as were fruit gins. These were dry gins that were infused with fruit before being sweetened. The most common of these were lemon and orange gins, which were made by the likes of Plymouth, Gordon’s, and Beefeater, but other flavours were popular, too, such as passionfruit, grapefruit, and - from a brand called “Dinner at Eight” - pineapple.

As tastes changed and the Summer of Love shifted minds to other intoxicants, these fruit gins were confined to the annals of history; until now, that is.

Inspired by the tales of old, That Boutique-y Gin Company have resurrected one of the fruit gins and given it a 21st century twist - the result is “Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin”. Bottled at 40.1% ABV, the gin is made using whole, peeled pineapples that have been coated with demerara sugar and spit-roasted so that it caramelises. 

The base gin has a classic recipe, with botanicals including: Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Orange, Lemon, Nutmeg, Cassia, Cinnamon, Orris and Liquorice.

The two are combined and the result is a luxurious and devilishly indulgent liquid. The toasted sugar and caramelised pineapple are reminiscent of a pineapple fritter, whilst the brighter, juicer pineapple notes of the underlying fruit cry out to be mixed in tiki drinks.

The pineapple has also long been seen as a sign of hospitality, and has been connected with gin for a long time - just have a look at the cap of a Tanqueray bottle - so it is perhaps surprising that there are not more pineapple gins.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The inside of a pineapple fritter - juicy, with a touch of zestiness and light caramel.
Taste: An indulgent harmony of flavours greet the tongue: a beautiful mix of sweet and sour pineapple and rich, sweet caramel.
Finish: Lingering sweet pineapple, as well as the dry, crisp freshness of the gin, inviting you back in for another sip.

Pineapple Gin is a surprisingly versatile drink and mixes well with a variety of ingredients. For a straightforward serve, fill a tall glass with lots of ice, add a measure of the gin before topping up with your favourite mixer, be that tonic, soda water, cola, or - our personal choice - Ting. The grapefruit soda’s bittersweet flavours combine well with the tart sweetness of the gin.

For a touch of decadence, add a splash of Pineapple Gin to a Champagne flute and add a glug of sparkling wine.

For the more ambitious home bartender, here are some other ideas.

Pineapple Gin Daiquiri
25ml White Rum (preferably a Rhum Agricole)
25ml Pineapple Gin
15ml Lime juice
10ml Sugar syrup
SHAKE

A real taste of the tropics, with the light sweetness and grassy complexity of the rum. This adds to the flavour of the gin, which contributes a light sweetness and plenty of punchy pineapple. The lime juice intermingles with the the other fruit notes for a long, crisp finish.

Hawaiian Station Master
Inspired by the “Berlin Station Master” (a Martini with Islay Whisky) and the famous Canadian pizza that - controversially - combined ham and pineapple.
25ml Pineapple Gin
25ml Dry Gin
5ml Smoky Scotch whisky
SHAKE

This drink will likely prove as controversial as the pizza; the intriguing mix of peat smoke (reminiscent of smoked ham) and the sweet, juicy pineapple is quite the juxtaposition. The underlying botanicals add complexity and a slightly dry finish.

Not content with these creations, we sought out Tiki expert, Jeff “The Beachbum” Berry, who has recently released the excellent Total Tiki app, which contains nearly 250 Tiki cocktail recipes. Jeff recommended the following drinks to try with the gin, which have been slightly modified.

Honolulu
50ml Pineapple Gin
10ml Lemon Gin
10ml Orange juice
1 tsp Powdered sugar
3-4 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
SHAKE

A fruity drink with plump pineapple notes at the start and a refreshing citrus twang on the finish - all with the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Polocu
30ml Pineapple Gin
10ml Cognac
5ml Cointreau
5ml St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur
5ml Coco Lopez Coconut Cream
3 dashes Orange bitters
SHAKE

This drink has a slight pearlescent opacity thanks to the coconut cream (in a pinch you could substitute for normal milk or cream). The drink is creamy, jammy, and fruity; sweet, spicy and dry - really leading your senses through a range of sensations. The cinnamon and gin also add a pleasant sweetness. Indulgent, but still refreshing.

Royal Hawaiian
30ml Pineapple Gin
15ml Dry Gin
10ml Lemon juice
5ml Orgeat syrup
SHAKE

A good choice for those with less of a sweet-tooth. This has a lovely balance between the sweet gin and the tart lemon, making something akin to a White Lady with a tropical twist.

Hopefully these cocktail ideas will inspire you to mix up your own creations using the Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin. Whether simple or complex, there are plenty of delicious creations to be made - here comes the summer...

Oh, it's also well worth mentioning that Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin took home a prestigious Master medal at The Gin Masters 2017. Well happy about that, we are. 

DTS

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

Our Frankly Ridiculous Haul of Medals from The Gin Masters

We're excited show off the stack of awards that our drinks claimed at The Gin Masters - including a pair of Master medals!

The Spirits Business Gin Masters results have been announce, and our a bundle of expressions have been bestowed oodles of glittering medals to drape over their shoulders. This includes our Cherry Gin and Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin each getting their grubby mitts on a Master medal in the Flavoured Gin Category! Get in!

"But what else? You claimed you won "oodles of glittering medals"! Two does not qualify as oodles!" we hear you holler at your computer/phone/VR headset. Well, our impatient and technologically astute pals, count with me...

Single Cask Bathtub Gin - Manhattan Meta-Bitters Cask - Gold Medal (Super Premium)

Moonshot Gin - Gold Medal (Super Premium)

Swedish Rose Gin - Hernö - Gold Medal (Ultra Premium)

Double-Barrelled Gin - Cotswolds - Gold Medal (Ultra Premium)

Moonshot Gin - Gold Medal (London Dry)

Moonshot Gin - Gold Medal (Contemporary)

Single Cask Bathtub Gin - Manhattan Meta-Bitters Cask - Gold Medal (Cask Aged)

Single Cask Bathtub Gin - Very Old Tom - Gold Medal (Cask Aged)

Cherry Gin - Silver Medal (Super Premium)

Swedish Rose Gin - Hernö - Silver Medal (London Dry)

Miyagawa Citrus Gin - East London Liquor Company - Silver Medal (London Dry)

Miyagawa Citrus Gin - East London Liquor Company - Silver Medal (Super Premium)

That's 14 medals. That most definitely counts as oodles, we think you'll agree. These accolades only spur us on to creating more delicious drinks to claim yet more awards, so keep your eyes peeled...

A quick look at... Our Expeditionary Gin from Golden Moon

Grab your pith helmet, Golden Moon's Expeditionary Gin has arrived - David T Smith has a gander!

Golden Moon distillery is located in Golden, Colorado (12 miles west of Denver) and is overlooked by the Lookout and Tabletop Mountains. The distillery was founded in 2008 by Stephen Gould, a man with vast array of career experience: from being a corporate executive to a bartender and saucier; he is also a retired US Marine.

In addition to all of this, Stephen is a spirits and distilling historian and educator, not to mention a bit of a hoarder of distilling relics: he has a collection of over 20 stills, the oldest being from late 1800s, as well as over 600 spirits books and manuscripts, including original distillers’ notebooks. His oldest book dates back to the 16th century.

Today, Stephen makes a wide variety of spirits, including: whiskey, absinthe, applejack, grappa, liqueurs, and other spirits. Of course, it is his gin that is the only concern of That Boutique-y Gin Company. 

The original Golden Moon Gin is a romanticised version of a real pre-Prohibition gin. Why romanticised? Well, Stephen only got a chance to taste it once and so had to work from memory to try and recreate it. When he eventually had the chance to try the original gin again, he realised that he had just remembered the good points and, as a result, his final gin was even better.

The Expeditionary Gin adds a twist to this romanticised gin, sympathetically adjusting it to appeal to the tastes of the British gin-drinking public. The floral lavender has been dialled down and the gin is dryer, with the addition of citrus, menthol and the aromatic, peppery flavours of Grains of Paradise.

Tasting Notes
Nose: Bold with exotic spice; a leafy, green, herbal note reminds one of jungle vibes. 

Palate: Spicy fennel and floral lavender make way for crisp juniper, then some sweeter earthy notes.

Finish: A lingering finish of black pepper and anise.

Given the gin’s bold character, Stephen himself likes to drink it mixed in a Gin & Tonic, but also feels that it stands up well to Campari and Red Vermouth in the creation of a rather zesty Negroni. You may also want to try it is a Perfect Martini (equal parts gin and vermouth) and use a Bianco (white sweet) vermouth instead of the more typical dry variety.

In addition here are some other drinks to try:

Gin & Tonic
50ml Expeditionary Gin, 150ml Tonic Water - Twist of lime peel, spritzed over the top.
Dry with crisp citrus and aromatic floral notes. The finish is a mix of lavender and lingering, light pepperiness. The twist of lime really highlights the drink’s zest and liveliness.

Gimlet
50ml Expeditionary Gin 20ml Lime cordial - Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
An intriguing interplay of sweet and sour, and floral and pepper notes. This Gimlet is fresh, but not as tart as some others and the botanical flavours of the gin are more pronounced without overpowering the drink with juniper-pine.

Long Pink Gin
25ml Expeditionary Gin, 3-4 splashes of Angostura Bitters, 120ml sparkling water - Serve over ice in a tall glass or goblet, garnish with a lemon and lime wedge.
A tropical cooler, great to sip on a balmy afternoon. Whilst this is a less alcoholic drink, the botanical power of the gin certainly holds its own - just make sure there is a plentiful supply of ice.

DTS

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

World Gin Day Gin!

David T Smith introduces the official gin of World Gin Day from That Boutique-y Gin Company!

Saturday 10th June 2017 is the second Saturday in June, which can mean only one thing - World Gin Day! This is actually the 9th annual event after it was founded in 2009 by Neil Houston. Since 2013, the Gin M.C. and Commander-in-Chief for World Gin Day has been Gin Monkey Emma Stokes. This year will see events organised in more than 30 countries.

Obviously, a day like this does more than pique the interest of us here at That Boutique-y Gin Company and we were looking for a special way to celebrate. The answer was also obvious - as obvious as the gloss on a new silk hat (one for the H.G. Wells fans) - let's make a gin!

The plan for a World Gin Day gin began to form, but the question quickly arose of how to capture the World of Gin in a bottle? The decision was taken to source botanicals from each of the world's seven continents. Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas were relatively straight-forward, but what about Antarctica?

Not much grows in the ice desert and there are few local plants, most of which are mosses or lichens; the only two flowering plants are Antarctic Hair Grass and Antarctic Pearlwort.

So could we use these? Cogs were audibly whirring in our brains to find out how we could source them: charter a helicopter? Befriend an Antarctic researcher? Unfortunately, we then discovered the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, which severely restricts - essentially outlaws - the removal of anything from the continent. At this point, we might as well have been trying to source a botanical from the ice planet of Hoth.

In the interim, we had identified our botanicals from the other continents: Europe - Juniper Africa - Liquorice Root Asia - Cinnamon Oceania - Coriander North America - Angelica Root South America - Lime So that only left Antarctica and we had to get creative. One thing that can freely leave the continent (other than penguins, but I don't fancy putting Pingu or Mumbles in a bottle) are currents of water.

Out came the nautical charts to find a place where we could harvest waters originating from the Antarctic Ocean and provide our seventh botanical - a tiny pinch of sea (or ocean) salt that is added to the gin post-distillation for a polar lift.

Tasting notes
Nose: Classic, with cracked coriander and a zip of lime.
Taste: A luscious texture with a balanced flavour covering all of the gin favourites: juniper, coriander, and angelica.
Finish: Bright, zesty lime, sophisticated spice, and a subtle "how-do" nod from the sea salt.

DTS

Off-trade/on-trade enquiries should be directed to our UK distributor, Maverick Drinks.

Best Spirits Design and Packaging 2017!

That Boutique-y Gin Company was the winner for Best Design and Packaging for Spirits at The Drinks Business Awards 2017!

It gives us *enormous* pleasure to announce that at The Drinks Business Awards ceremony, which took place yesterday at the London Wine Fair Olympia, we were named winner of Best Design and Packaging for Spirits 2017! We're absolutely made up that our recently launched brand has been recognised among such incredibly tough competition. Speaking of launches, That Boutique-y Gin Company also received a Special Commendation for Launch of the Year!

Enormous thanks, of course, go to the incredible Grace J Ward for turning all of our bonkers ideas into the extraordinary illustrations you see on our fun and informative labels. The reception that the design and packaging, as well as the all-importatant liquid itself, have received since February has been amazing across the board from gin enthusiasts and bloggers, to drinks press, to featuring in gift guides from the likes of GQ, Stylist and The Guardian. A huge thank you to everyone who's shown an interest in our unique and exciting gin project (that includes you!) and watch this space for further awesome releases very soon!

Get Your Botanicals To Mars - That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Martian Gin

We’re very excited to announce that we’ll be joining forces with SpaceX for a brand new out-of-this-world tipple - Martian Gin!

EDIT: Time to come clean - Martian Gin is indeed our little April Fools' Day joke! Maybe one day it'll be a reality. Maybe one day we'll get to taste Jupiter, Saturn and... The next one...

Following the roaring success of our Moonshot Gin (made with moon rock and botanicals which have been into near-space), we had to take a good look in the mirror and see what kind of people we had become. Were we the sort of people to step away from the table with just one space gin under our belt, or were we the sort to roll up our sleeves, hoist up our trousers and double our number of space gins?

We're the latter.

After a few phone calls, napkin diagrams and a rewatch of Total Recall on VHS, our newest idea was underway - we’re teaming up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to create Martian Gin! Known for making huge leaps in the quest for the colonisation of Mars, we knew they were the obvious choice to help us make Martian Gin a reality, and we couldn’t be happier that they have agreed to take a payload of our botanicals all the way to the surface of the Red Planet and back.

Following that long, long, long journey (which will be taking place (weather permitting) in October 2019), we’ll be vacuum distilling those botanicals at room temperature for freshness and elegance to create the gin. But that’s not all. SpaceX have also agreed to scoop up a handful of Mars Rock and bring it back for us to use as a botanical!

To whet your appetite for this once-in-a-lifetime gin, here’s the world exclusive debut of That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Martian Gin label...

Should this venture go according to plan, we hope to be able to extend our methods to other planets, allowing you to taste Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter. The future is almost here, folks. Keep watching the skies.