The current desire for small batch, hand-made, locally sourced produce is driving the demand for everything from clothes to food. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the drinks market, where British manufacturing is once again becoming more and more highly sought.
First seen in the craft beer movement and now reflected in spirits, small batch gin is fast becoming a prized commodity. With this in mind we went to the Good Spirits Company on Glasgow’s Bath Street, to speak to spirit expert Matthew and mixologist Graeme about their thoughts and recommendations on some of Scotland’s up-and-coming gins.
Named in celebration of the moment that Mary Queen of Scots first spied her husband-to-be Lord Darnley at Wemyss Castle in 1565, Darnley’s View is produced by the Wemyss (that’s weems not weemiss or weemees) family in Fife. The traditional gin is a London gin made with six carefully selected botanicals brewed to a recipe held by the family. However, it is this unusual spiced gin made with added nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, that really stands out.
Smell:
Warm, spicey, definite hints of cumin. Woody notes pushing through. Still elegant.
Taste
When neat:
Light and spiced, warming. Mouth-watering, the citrus notes really adding to sweetness.
With tonic (One parts gin to two parts Fever Tree) and garnish (sliced orange):
Nice depth and warmth. Really Unusual flavour, spiced wood notes pushing through, very complex.
Matthew says – “A welcome deviation from their normal style which gives a lovely warm and spiced character. More suited for cocktails, try a gin alternative to a Bloody Mary made with this.”
Graeme’s cocktail – “I chose a Martinez, it’s my favourite style and I found it works more naturally with the spiced gin.”
The Martinez Cocktail recipe:
- 40ml Darnley’s View Spiced Gin
- 20ml Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
- 10ml Maraschino Luxardo
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- Garnish with a cherry
The classic Martinez
Darnley’s View Spiced Gin website
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