As ever, my ‘Gin Pokemon’ adventures continue. Well how could they not when I’ve ‘gotta catch ’em all!’ and I’m only up to about 312. I think. Ish.
So meet Tiger Gin. Made in by the Shropshire Gin company, in – yes you’ve guessed it, Shropshire. It’s the second one that I’m aware of for that county, along with the rather fruity Salopian Gin from the Shropshire Spirit Company.
Behind the brand is JJ Lawrence – having picked up the gin drinking bug, he was intrigued by the idea of making it himself. He researched the process, however realised that even if he completed the process to become a master distiller, it would take time to learn the craft and hone the skills that master distillers posses. Why do that when there was a company nearby that could do it for him?
Wishing to create the best tasting gin in the world, he worked with the master distiller at the company to create Tiger Gin. However, there was a problem.
It had to be Tiger Gin. In his own words ‘No other name would do, it was TIGER GIN or nothing.’
However, when trademarking the name, his application was opposed by Heineken who own the Tiger lager name. He appointed a top London trademark barrister for two years in order to win the rights to use Tiger as the name.
Curious, as there seems to be no mention as to why it had to be Tiger I asked why – was it similar to the other brands on the market (namely Silverback Gin and Elephant Gin) who donate money to charities named on their sites. I’m assured that this is part of the business plan.
But enough about the story. To the spirit.
On the nose is a big waft of juniper, dominatingly so. In truth I can tell it’s gin, but it’s hard to differentiate any further scents.
On the palate there’s a syrupy feel that would suggest sugar has been added post distillation – which would fit with it not being labelled a London Dry gin, and I can again taste that big hit of juniper and there’s a hint of orange peel around the edges.
But this is where it’s frustrating. So much so I doubted my palate. I thought I’d broken it. I can normally pick out the layers of flavour – even down to liquorice, angelica and orris root. But nothing.
I’ve since had three others – whose palates I trust – try the gin and they too cannot pick up anything additional. Even enquiring with JJ himself has revealed no notion of the botanicals. I can only assume that perhaps the maceration process is long and the cell breakdown and release of juniper oils is dominating the flavours. Or perhaps the distillation process is overly long.
The recommended serve when queried is over ice with premium tonic and a slice of unwaxed orange. And so I sampled with a little Fever-Tree Light tonic. I didn’t want to compromise any of the possible flavours from the botanicals that allowing a tonic to open it up might expose.
Conclusion? It’s gin.
Frustratingly, I cannot pick out anything to give me a hint as to what else is in there. I’d expect angelica or orris for use as fixatives, but I can’t even detect those.
I want it to impress me, to showcase this tiger spirit – but it’s quite obviously, not for me.
