There’s no denying that gin is in.
I used to keep a vague eye on the number we had in existence, but stopped when (including liqueurs and limited editions) we were at somewhere over 2000.
Much as gin is my hobby/life I’d rather keep track of the ones I have sampled, and the ones I really fancy, that all the gins in the world. That’s what apps like Ginventory are for.
Something that seems to be growing apace is one offs or limited editions. Whether it’s something seasonal like the Picnic Gin from Poetic License (it’s utterly delish), or just random runs like Steve’s Apple Gin from Mason’s, it’s a growing trend. And for the collector of gins (or taster of gins like me), collecting them all (aka Gin Pokemon) is becoming more of a challenge.
Much as I lament not being able to own all the gins in the world (I think my house insurance would skyrocket too, and Mr GFB might actually disown me), the reasoning behind limited editions and solo runs is something as a gin geek I can completely get behind. As a distiller your job is to create, and whilst you can run the same gin over and over, some days we all like to experiment. Sometimes these experiments can create something new, different, and yes, sometimes these experiments can create disasters. But the good stuff, the stuff that turns out beautifully deserves to be tasted.
Doesn’t it?
That’s where One Time Gin comes in. A gin subscription with a difference, this gives the distillers the opportunity to showcase those experiments that went right, but maybe don’t have enough to sell on shop shelves. Or those that have been created, crafted and the recipe just simply hasn’t been made.
The whole idea for the being formed whilst it’s founder, James was working at distillery in East London. The distillers were a really young, creative and talented bunch that were always experimenting on the small test still. Time and time again they would come up with an idea, tinker around with the recipe, settle on a finished recipe and then put it on the shelf as a perfected product, never to be launched.
So Victory Gin headed by Max Chater, was the first One Time Gin release in January – with James and Max working at the distillery on New Year’s Eve making the first gin of 2017.
The second release was with 58 distillery, and Mark Marmont. They too had a ‘shelf’ with 6 or 7 recipes, so Mark chose his favourite to release with One Time Gin.
And March? Well that’s been much closer to home for me. Jen and Seb from Manchester Gin had a ‘Jasmine and Cherry Blossom’ recipe, and yes, I was lucky enough to get my grubby mitts on a box.
Every box arrives with both the gin, matched mixers and a newsletter. The latter contains everything you need to know about your special edition gin, the distillers, how it pairs with the mixers and, in this month, a cocktail recipe.
I do love an excuse to get my shaker out.
First, the gin.
I rather loved this. On the nose, it’s floral – but almost like a tightly bound bouquet. No distinct floral sticks out. On the palate, again, florals, a sweetness from almonds or liquorice, but those florals still stay bound.
The fun bit comes with a little tonic. As soon as you add tonic and it opens up beautifully. You can pick our the jasmine and cherry blossom distinctly as separate flavours, and the drink becomes a lightly sweet, floral G&T.
But why stop there?
In the box was a little bottle of Yuzushu – a liqueur made with sake and yuzu. It’s sharp, sweet, and the ingredient for the gin sour cocktail in the newsletter. I grabbed my shaker.
This is one cocktail I would not be sharing. Sweet, sour, with a good dry finish. Plus any excuse for a cocktail cherry.
I’m sold.
I admit, at £42 per month, I might not be indulging every month, but like other subscription boxes, it is flexible and you can have one every month or every two or three months.
April’s subscription date closes in 6 days and, unlike other subscription boxes, they reveal what’s heading out to you. So there’s no ‘surprise’ where you suddenly discover it’s one you’ve got, or that you’re not sure you’re going to like.
In fact, April’s is a collaboration with Batch Distillery from Burnley, and involves a Thai spiced gin.
Count me in.
This box was received for review from One Time Gin. I strive to be honest about the things that I review, and give you honest feedback. As above, I might not subscribe every month. But at least for now, that Batch gin has my name on it…