Something really very special here. An innovative new London Dry Gin – launching today – which is not only delicious but will also help save lives. 1897 Quinine Gin is made with cinchona bark (the natural and traditional source of quinine) as well as fresh citrus peels cold distilled under vacuum to extract flavours that remain full of vitality and freshness. In the case of the cinchona bark this means ethereal and floral notes that contribute heavily to the overall flavour profile of the finished gin.
As well as being a truly stunning spirit, 1897 Quinine Gin supports a fantastic charity in Malaria No More UK. For every bottle sold, over half of the producer’s profit (at least £5) will be donated. That’s enough to buy, deliver and hang a mosquito net for a family living at risk from malaria in Africa – protecting their children whilst they sleep.
1897 Quinine Gin’s stunning front label
“With tears and toiling breath, I find thy cunning seeds, O million-murdering Death. I know this little thing A myriad men will save. O Death, where is thy sting? Thy victory, O Grave!”
Evidently something of a renaissance man, the label features part of a poem penned in August 1897 by the Indian-born British Medical Doctor who made the link between malaria transmission and mosquitoes. Sir Ronald Ross’ ground-breaking discovery of the malarial parasite in the gut of a female mosquito on this very day 118 years ago (20th August in now known as World Mosquito Day) is where 1897 Quinine Gin takes it’s name. It’s a discovery that led Ross to establish the complete life cycle of parasite and lay the foundation for fighting the disease, saving millions of lives.
In more recent times, the fight against malaria has gained enormous momentum and since 2000 the number of child deaths caused by the disease has halved thanks to the work of charities such as Malaria No More UK. There’s now a very real possibility that ours could be the generation that finally stops this preventable and treatable disease, but there’s still a long way to go. Currently, a child still dies from malaria every minute.
If you’re wondering what you can do, it’s really rather simple isn’t it. You like gin? Going to buy some gin at some point anyway? Well here’s a brand new one that we’d be recommending even if there wasn’t a connection to such a fantastic cause:
1897 Quinine Gin – 70cl – £39.95
As mentioned the cold distilled botanicals used are cinchona bark and fresh citrus peels (white and pink grapefruit and lemon), these are combined with a further selection of more traditional botanicals made up of juniper, coriander, angelica, orange, lemon, nutmeg, cassia, cinnamon, orris and liquorice distilled in a copper pot still.
Here’s Sam‘s tasting note:
Tasting Note for 1897 Quinine Gin:
Nose: Clean and elegant as it opens. Notes of cloudy lemonade with a grapefruit twist are soon joined by earthy juniper. This leads the nose to the vibrant, rounded cinchona bark elements, with leafy, herbaceous touches complimenting it.
Palate: Fresh and dynamic, the classic bitter-though-floral quinine evokes old fashioned tonics. Spicy coriander and cinnamon build on the mid-palate, with playful touches of liquorice and citrus ensure it remains refreshing.
Finish: Warm notes of nutmeg carry on to the finish, before making way for woody juniper and the last hints of cinchona. A final flash of grapefruit closes it out.
Shiny…
Jake
