Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin
Flavoured gins are not normally high up on my shopping list but my recent raid on Waitrose’s “bargain basement” bin unearthed a couple of interesting ones from Sipsmith. Founded in 2009 in a tiny workshop in Hammersmith as London’s first traditional copper distillery since 1820, their London Dry Gin has always been one of my go-to gins and was one of the first that I tried as I dipped my toe into the world of the ginaissance.
Taking their London Dry Gin as the starting point the distillers at Sipsmith turn the lemon up to eleven and beyond with their Lemon Drizzle Gin. It is everything you would expect and more, inspired by the citrus-fuelled gins of the early 1900s. It started out as part of the inaugural Sipsmith Sipping Society box but proved so popular that it became an established line in its own right.
Lemon in all its forms from hand-peeled, sundried lemon peels to vapour-infused lemons and lemon verbena go into the mix along with juniper, coriander, vanilla, and ground almond. As you would expect, both on the nose and on the palate the lemon is zesty, fresh, tart, and warming but, cleverly, is not allowed to take over completely, tempered well by the savouriness of the juniper, an underlying hint of vanilla, and a warming, liquorice dominated aftertaste.
It is slightly sweet and unmistakeably lemon-centric, reminiscent of a lemon drizzle cake in liquid form, making for a distinctive and refreshing summer drink. With an ABV of 40.4%, lower than the Original Dry Gin’s 41.6%, it is tempting enough to have a second glass.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, having found a winning formula, have repeated the process, albeit with oranges, to produce their Zesty Orange Gin. Fresh and dried orange peel is combined with bergamot zest and added to the staple botanicals of their London Dry Gin to produce a spirit which, at an ABV of 40.4%, has a bright floral and slightly warming spicy aroma and sharp and tangy in the mouth, reminiscent of marmalade. It finishes on a sweet and tangy note with cinnamon to the fore. The spirit is clear but a pale orange colour.
I found it less successful than the lemon version but then I do prefer lemons to orange. If you are looking to add some flavoured gins to your cabinet, these two are well worth considering.
Until the next time, cheers!
