Notes of Juniper, Strawberry & Vanilla
One of the things that attracted me to gin in the first instance was, as shared by many, it's diversity of source, botanicals and garnishes. Recently though, I realise that in the current climate of closing high streets, small companies often monopolised and local businesses struggling to survive, it's even more important to recognise who is contributing to our regional economy.
Lundin Distilling's story began in a local bar, with an idea for a gin with locally foraged gorse and juniper at it's heart. Since then Gorse Gin has made a local impact and led Iain Brown, the founder of the company to expand the ethos further by imparting additional local characteristics into his product range.
Fife is famous for its fruit farms and, I remember fond memories of my youth, searching for wild raspberries and brambles for my family to make jams and jellies with, slaving over a pan that resembled the crater of a simmering volcano of fruit and sugar. Furthermore, I cant think of ever enjoying an ice cream from a local van, without it being drizzled in strawberry sauce. Raspberry ripple ice cream was the closest thing in the shops to mirroring this summer cooler.
Does it not then seem utterly inspired (#ginspired) to tap into such joyous memories with a product (a gin) that will blend strawberry, raspberry and vanilla flavours as we hit the summer months of 2019?
Ripple, the new gin from Lundin Distilling, promises to deliver such character and flavours. Having acquired a bottle of this exciting new gin, I held a small tasting session with a few other gin lovers to gather opinion and feedback for Ripple.
The bottle offers a simple, classic shape with body and neck sharing parallel edges. It's simplicity invites the consumer to consider the content over the design. A solid wood and cork stopper offer a final hint of quality.
The label, as with the bottle, has been carefully but simply designed to reflect the name with a series of geometric waves or indeed, ripples, suggesting the flow of fruit flavours from within.
The first (neat) sip: Along with the classic warmth expected from the 38% abv and the ever present scent of juniper, a flourish of strawberry and vanilla left a pleasantly lingering aftertaste.
The clarity of the flavours evident in the neat sample meant that we should carefully select serving components, in order that the character wasn't unnecessarily masked by additions not appropriately considered.
Mixers: Conscious that the gin market attracts consumers with differing tastes, I chose 3 mixers to try in my tasting session. Firstly, Fentimens Rose Lemonade. This produced a very sweet combination favoured by the pink gin fans, with the rose, fruits and vanilla producing something of a Turkish delight finish.
Fever Tree's Light and Mediterranean tonics, provided the remaining mixers and garnered greater enthusiasm from the classic G&T lovers.
Both provided a lovely experience on the palate with the light tonic, in particular, ensuring the flavours of the gin kept their integrity.
Garnish: The fruit finish offered by the gin means very little is needed in addition to the gin and mixer. Citrus was a no-no so either no garnish was added or fresh raspberries, blueberries or frozen blackberries became the favoured options.
My perfect serve:
Gin balloon glass with big ice..
50ml Lundin Distilling Ripple Gin
4 or 5 frozen blackberries
200ml Fever Tree Light Tonic Water
Optional - Small dash (5ml) Elderflower Cordial
As with most gins, Ripple, will generate a vast array of serving options. We will all have our favourites but, as far as the gin goes, Ripple certainly delivers the character and quality expected. Kirkcaldy can be proud again that our local distiller has provided a beautiful gin to be enjoyed by the masses.
Master of Malt Customer Dec 19, 2019
