Whilst I may not be heading back to the pub (just yet anyway), I’m making up for it at home. Friday nights are for Martinis after work and training. And Monday nights are for a glass of something while I go live on Instagram.
And that of course means gin!
These two gins come from Estonia – Taillinn to be exact, and home is a stunning distillery in Telliskivi. And is the creation of Tarvo Jaansoo. Their three gins are made in a Holstein still – but whereas many gins are made using a one shot distillation, the different botanicals are distilled separately before being blended together.
Botanicals in their Dry Blended Gin include juniper, coriander, cubeb pepper, angelica, thyme, and two secret ingredients, and those classic dry flavours come through in the gin itself. Neat, the nose offers a liquorice sweetness rounding off a big junipery nose with a slight herbal bite. On the palate are big juniper notes, thyme adds a big savoury note, whilst pepper spikes the finish, before a pine woodiness lingers on. Despite it’s punch, it’s not hot, or spiky. There’s a smoothness and roundness to it. Dry Martini please, thank you.
In a G&T, the nose is all citrus and cool pine, and the palate is classic G&T style. Bold pine back note that lingers, on top is clean citrus. It’s a gin for the end of a long day. A gin for when what you need is a classic profile gin that refreshes.
The Rhubarb Edition is a very different beast. Botanicals of juniper, cardamom, angelic, cassia, coriander, lemon peel, orange blossom and vanilla meet cold pressed rhubarb juice. This is not a sweet gin, rather one that draws on the tart flavour of real rhubarb.
Neat, the nose is juniper, soft vanilla ice cream, tart fruit. On the palate, so much juicy rhubarb, the vanilla softens it. No candy sweetness, this is all natural fruit.
In a G&T, this is stunning. I can taste rhubarb – proper rhubarb, not just sugary sweet candy shop rhubarb. This is sharp and juicy, softened by vanilla and cardamom.
No wonder my glassful disappeared fast!
Overall, two bloody good gins, one I know won’t last very long, now I just need to find a stockist!