Super-Premium Gin Guide

Berry Bros & Rudd – No.3 London Dry (£33.95)

You think of spirits and wine, more often than not, you think Berry Bros. & Rudd. They are market leaders with over 300 years of tradition and expertise, and this heritage really transcends from the page and into the bottle, with this fabulous gin.

No.3 is steeped in a wonderful history; ever since its founding day in 1698, the brand has supplied tipple to the likes of Lord Byron, Willian Pitt and the Aga Khan. Quite impressive! Currently, the Berrys has two Royal Warrants for H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, so if it`s good enough for royalty, then it`s good enough for me!

This particular gin, the No.3 London Dry Gin, is distilled to a proprietary recipe of Berry Bros. & Rudd, London`s oldest wine and spirit merchant. Apparently, `the name No.3 refers to the address in St James`s Street, London: our home since 1698. No.3 was created to be the last word in gin for a Dry Martini.`

As you would expect from a traditional London Dry gin, this No.3 bottle has a distinct and hearty Juniper flavour. The Juniper originates from Italy and is perfectly complimented by sweet Spanish orange peel, for a hint of freshness.

According to the tasting notes, there are three spices included in the No.3 gin. Firstly, I really got the cardamom and they give the gin real warmth and an extra little kick of flavour. There is also a presence of Angelica root and Moroccan coriander seeds, however, for me, the little kick of the cardamom is the stand out spice here.

No.3 Cocktail Recommendation – The St.James`s Jubilee

Ingredients: 50ml No.3 London Dry gin
25ml fresh lemon juice
15ml elderflower liqueur
100ml English sparkling wine

Method:
Shake all ingredients, bar the English sparkling wine, with ice in a cocktail shaker.
Then, strain over the chilled sparkling wine.
Garnish with a single raspberry.
Glass: Champagne flute.

70 cl £33.95 – buy your bottle here

Edgerton Pink Gin (RRP £39.00)

If Berrys and Rudd is the veteran, then Edgerton, and its stunning pink gin, may be the new kid on the block. But don`t let this brand`s infancy deceive you – this is a top quality product.

Firstly, when you first mix this gin with tonic, it is absolutely stunning; the pink colour, deriving from pomegranate, dazzles and shimmers. They say the first taste is with your eyes, if this is the case, I was gorging myself from the mere sight.

Aside, from the dazzling pink appearance and the elegant bottle, the flavour of the Edgerton Pink is also highly impressive. The gin is comprised of a spectacular 14 flavours form across the globe; making it a complex but highly intricate gin. Sometimes less is more, but on this occasion, the complexity of the flavour makes it an adventurous and fun gin to consume. The Edgerton pink gin is distilled at a punchy 47%.

This pink Gin will be the highlight of the summer, emerging on the market as London`s first ever pink Gin, with its multitalented appearance it can be drank at an exclusive bar, a high-end venue or central London roof top gardens to capture the summer weather or to celebrate any special given moment.

Like the No.3, the Edgerton Pink Gin is a super-premium gin and would sit well in any ones drinks cabinet, on any bar and in any glass.
Edgerton Original Pink Dry Gin is sold in Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Waitrose; The Ritz, The Savoy, The Dorchester and Claridges.

Cocktail recommendation – London Snog

`With tonic, with ice, with all the usual things, but try the cocktail our maestro has created. Into a shaker put 1.5 oz Pink Gin, 5 oz Créme de Framboise, juice from 20 crushed redcurrants, juice of 1/4 lemon, cracked ice and a dash of gomme syrup. Shake well and serve with a twist of lemon peel.`

RRP £39.00 http://www.edgertonpink.com/