Try some new exotic flavoured gins from Halewood Wines & Spirits – to celebrate Gin Day. They really do slip down rather smoothly – I know, I’ve tried them. These new and evocative handcrafted gins really do work well on a lovely summer day, or, in fact on a dismal cool one. OK. OK. Let’s just say they hit the spot whatever the day or occasion. Gin does seem to be very popular these days, and with a cold tonic – such a good refresher.
Try these: Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin – Brand New
This is the latest in the handcrafted Whitley Neill premium spirits range, and is a new gin that takes its inspiration from the English countryside – at its height in June. Created by Johnny Neill, eighth generation in the Greenhall Whitley family of distillers, Johnny drew upon his fond childhood memories of rural England for this classic flavour pairing.
Johnny’s latest creation uses memories from his grandparents’ English country garden, lovingly cultivated for flavours, such as family favourite rhubarb, for gin experimentation. This smooth English gin is perfect over ice or as a cocktail base, with the natural essence of rhubarb giving a tart crisp edge and ginger extract warming the palate for a full-bodied finish.
Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin is available in 70cl (£24.95) on Master of Malt with 20cl and 5cl becoming available in the summer along with a mixed gift pack.
Ginger & Rhubarb Buck cocktail
Ingredients: 50ml WN Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, 50ml Cloudy Apple Juice, 50ml Ginger Ale, 15ml freshly pressed lemon juice
Method: Garnish with lemon wedge and serve in a highball glass over cubed ice.
Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin & Tonic:
Ingredients: 50ml Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, 100ml Lamb & Watt Original Tonic Water
Method: Serve long over ice and garnish with a thin slice of ginger and a wedge of lemon.
I liked the Whitley Neill Quince Gin. Perhaps because I have memories of Mum’s quince jelly.
Whitley Neill Quince Gin is a premium handcrafted dry gin inspired by the timeless flavours of Persia – the first gin of its kind in the UK. Inspired by the Whitley Neill family’s travels through Persia in the 1900s, the gin features a complementary blend of heady, exotic botanicals and real quince juice, and boasts a distinctive and alluring taste. Botanicals include juniper, lemon and orange peel, orris bark, angelica root and coriander seeds. Ideal sipped over ice, served with soda water with a squeeze of lime, or a wonderfully fragrant base for cocktails, Whitley Neill Quince Gin has complex flavours and aromas, and a smooth, sweet flavour.
It has an ABV of 43% and is available in select bars and from Ocado 70cl (£26).
Wearing my other hat – Milly Adams – I’ve been writing a novel about the war, and my research shows that nettles feature frequently in the rationed wartime era. And here are nettles again.
J.J. Whitley Nettle Gin – Brand New
As the freshness of the nettle disperses, the palate is left with an unmistakable and somewhat nostalgic finish of a classic gin with a light and zingy kick. Available online at Master of Malt and Amazon.com (around £20).
There are many more, all as celebratory as one another:
Liverpool Valencian Orange Gin Master of Malt, 70cl (£42.99).
J.J. Whitley Elderflower Gin Available in selected Tesco stores, £18 (70cl).
Marylebone Gin: Marylebone Gin launched exclusively in Selfridges recently
Selfridges, 70cl (£55).
Whitley Neill Gin: This award-winning gin features premium African botanicals, including Cape gooseberry and the much in demand super-fruit, baobab, which is derived from South Africa’s native baobab tree, fondly dubbed ‘The Tree of Life’
Available in Selfridges and Sainsburys (from £24).