This festive gin liqueur is named after Reverend Hubert Bell Lester, who created his winter liqueur recipe in 1904 for the Christmas gathering of his congregation. Years later, his great-grandson recreated the original formula with a few updates and help from Joe Wadsack, who is generally thought to have the best palate in the wine business. There are Amalfi lemons and oranges, along with a few seasonal spices - this one's a winner simply over ice and will do well in a Negroni, too.
Warming and spicy, with loads of oily citrus zest, a good handful of dried fruit and peppery juniper underneath it all.
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This leads with citrus, bright, undeniable orange and lemons which is odd given it's marketed as a winter gin. The prominent notes, and the ones you'd expect from a winter gin, are warm spices and woodsy scented herbs. Orange/clementine can be in the mix but they can't steal the show otherwise it becomes something else and this is exactly what's happened here. This isn't a winter gin, the lemons don't allow for that. They're so bright I'd call this spring. If they removed the lemons and dialled down the orange it would be a contender for a winter gin. If you've purchased it with Christmas in mind you could try dressing it up with a spiced clementine ginger ale mixer, over ice and a generous orange wheel, which will dial down the lemons, warm up the oranges and the ginger element will bring out the dried fruit, that's otherwise lost. Or just save it until spring/summer and serve it with a sicilian lemon tonic water, a dash of simple syrup, over ice and a slice of lemon and a wheel of orange. The other issue I have with this brand is price. Given its only a 50cl bottle AND it's only 27% (their other gins some are as low as 20%) it's massively over priced. I only ever entertain any of their offerings when they're on offer, discounted by at least £7-10. There's nothing about it's ingredients, taste or aesthetics which puts it on par with the leading premium brands which are appropriately priced at the £35-40.
I saw this on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch a few days before Christmas and managed to get it in time for the big day. I can absolutely vouch for how darn tasty it is. Heated it up with Mulled wine spices and cranberry juice for a mulled gin vibe, but also mixed with fruit juices and mint and a clementine slice for a cool cocktail. Will deffo purchase again, and not just for Christmas! Also, how can you not resist that bottle?!
It’s not just for Christmas..in fact not quite sure why it’s called Winter.. it’s totally delicious obviously made with REAL fruit and ingredients.(as opposed to 99% of liqueurs..) Fresh flavour and aroma..I added plain old tonic(I know ..so weird...) ice and a slice and it refreshed me to the bone.
Crikey. Wasn’t sure what to think. Wasn’t even certain what I was buying, but wow! A friend recommended putting a dollop in a glass of Prosecco... and Boom! Instant Christmas. Full of sexy orangey zest and spice. I think I prefer it neat though. Nearly did a whole bottle in shots the other night.
Knocks your socks off, tastes sublime and makes you think straight.
