A naturally pink gin inspired by rosé wine from Provence. A spirit inspired by gin-making principles for those who like the taste of gin but don’t want the alcohol. Find out more interesting facts about gin and Salcombe Gin, a new brand to put on your list that’s won just about every award there is to win and is now my favorite.
The new gins are from Salcombe Distilling Co., which hail from Devon in the Southwestern part of the U.K. Salcombe Gin been named the #1 luxury gin brand in the country and have won numerous international and regional awards from Gold at The World Gin Awards 2019, 2017 to Double Gold at the SIP Awards 2020.
Here’s a rundown of the three Salcombe gins I tried:
Start Point – $39.99 (My new favorite gin)
Start Point is a classic, citrus-led London Dry gin that is smooth, distinct and complex.
It’s created using Macedonian juniper berries and the fresh citrus peels of red grapefruit, lemon and lime .A further nine botanicals including English coriander seed, cardamom, cubeb berries, licorice and angelica root are also used.
Rosé Sainte Marie – $39.99
‘Rosé Sainte Marie’ is bright, crisp, fresh and elegant. The fresh flavors are reminiscent of Southern France and in turn, emulate qualities of a dry rosé wine from the Provence region.
Distilled and crafted using juniper berries to provide structure in the background,it’s partnered with a natural, soft sweetness from strawberries and angelica. Fresh citrus peels of lemon and orange are combined with ten other botanicals including lemon verbena, rose petals, orange blossom and pink peppercorns. Garnish it with strawberries and lemon peel for a festive presentation.
New London Light – $34.99
New London Light from Salcombe Gin is made with all natural ingredients chosen for their specific nutrients, and bioactive compounds that have powerful health benefits. Not intended to be a nonalcoholic gin but inspired by gin making principles, the base botanical blend is juniper, ginger and habanero with 15 additional added for a spectrum of flavor using a combination of distillation, maceration and extraction techniques.
NLL is crafted by first distilling three botanicals; juniper berries, ginger and habanero chili for a slight bite. The base liquid is blended with 15 further botanicals including orange, sage, cardamom, cascarilla bark and lemongrass; creating a layered spectrum of flavor with hints of citrus orange and sage.
Looking for cocktail recipes using these gins? Click here for the website.
Salcombe Gin’s ‘Rosé Sainté Marie’ and ‘Start Point’ are both available for purchase from retailers across the US including in CA via BevMo! and from retailers in NY, MA, CT, RI, MJ and WA and online through salcombegin.com, drizly.com and caskers.com. ‘New London Light’ by Salcombe Distilling Co. is available to purchase from betterrhodes.com, newlondonlight.com and many retailers across the USA. Salcombe will be available in liquor stores across South Florida later this year.
Want to learn more? Here’s a Q & A I did with Angus Lugsdin, co-founder of Salcombe Distilling Co.
What makes a spirit gin?
The key to a spirit being gin is the juniper, alcoholic or non alcoholic.
What constitutes the alcoholic part?
The alcoholic part traditionally is from fermented wheat or another grain that’s distilled. It can also be from apples, barley, corn, potatoes and others.
What else can be added to the gin to make it different?
Really anything, from lemon peel and almonds to cucumbers and various herbs and spices.
How many different kinds of gin are there and what flavors?
Hundreds of different kinds with flavors ranging from floral to citrus and fruity. The traditional blend is called London Dry Gin
Should the bottle of gin be put in the freezer?
It’s usually best not to as it loses a part of the experience that way, the sensation of the aroma.
What’s the best glass to serve gin in?
A small wine glass that curves inward at the top to capture the aroma.
