Product Description
When William of Orange prohibited the importing of alcohol to England in the early Eighteenth Century, so began the production and consumption of (domestic) English gin by huge numbers of distillers, the majority being of dubious quality. Its popularity was such, especially amongst the poor, that gin was distilled and sold in one fifth of all London homes. This excessive and uncontrolled consumption provoked a rapid degradation of society, a period given the name the Gin Craze. In trying to curb this ‘social evil’, the 1736 Gin Act was introduced during the reign of George II, whereby an annual levy of £50 was imposed on those wishing to produce and sell gin. After six years, just two distilleries had agreed to pay this tax.
Crystal clear water like colour with water like hue, showing good cling to the glass. Lifted juniper, spearmint and almond essence top notes with mixed citrus peel and star anise below. The palate is rich and oily, very soft, and delivers a moderate burst of the flavours offered by the nose before quietly and quickly vanishing. The spirit is clean, pure and faultless. This is a very well made, ‘soft and cuddly’ Gin, but one which lacks the punch and interest to be considered among the finest examples.