Tag: gin lover

Tumbledown Gin

alcoholic drinks, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Tumbledown Gin is one for the gin connoisseurs, the lovers of a particular stature of gin and gin making which can only be found in smaller, independent distilleries.  Tumbledown Gin is probably made in the most remote distillery on Earth – the Falkland Islands.

 Ex-soldier Taff stayed in the Falklands way longer than any of his colleagues and began building a distillery despite the Falklands Government saying ‘no’. Along with fellow islanders John and Saul, they built up a business and a following thanks to the cruise ships that passed and spread the word, finally shipping 8,000miles to the Isle of Man via Royal Navy Fleet Auxiliary. This is where the gin was finally bottled and where it was launched from.

We sampled some of the purest gin ever as a straight gin and then with a tonic. The gin itself has a slightly citrus flavour to it, and you can taste the purity of the stream-fed water from Tumbledown Mountain on the Falkland Island. The botanicals, including seasonal scurvy grass, can also be traced. The pureness of the water allows the flavours to come through and at 46% proof, it’s very strong! I would recommend pairing Tumbledown with a tonic unless you are a real gin fan. Adding it to a cocktail seems sacrilege though, as it’s far too good in quality.

Although pricy at £95, it does have to travel a long way, and as a gift for a gin lover, it’s almost guaranteed to be something which your loved one has not even encountered before, let alone tried! 

Available from £95: https://www.falklandislandsspirits.com/product/small-batch-gin-tumbledown-gin-50-cl/

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Gin – everybody loves it, young, old, and everyone in between. And why wouldn’t they? It’s versatile, sophisticated, and downright delicious. Whether you’re indulging yourself or trying to please that hard to buy for friend or relative, you simply can’t go wrong with a bottle of gin.

As Christmas draws near, there’s no better time to embrace the magic of a fine Scottish gin and Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin from Dunnet Bay Distillers is a great choice for both drinking and gifting this festive season. This isn’t some run-of-the-mill, slap-a-fancy-label-on-it gin – far from it. This gin has been lovingly crafted with incredible precision. Founders Martin and Claire put their hearts (and a whopping 55 attempts!) into perfecting the recipe before landing on the final version in 2014. What they’ve bottled is a true taste of Caithness, the rugged, windswept corner of Scotland where the air is wild, the sea roars, and the local botanicals seem destined to be turned into something extraordinary.

And speaking of the bottle, what a stunner. A beautiful stoneware masterpiece that screams, “I’m worth every penny.” It’s the sort of thing you’d happily display on a shelf for all your guests to admire even when empty!

Now let’s get onto the important stuff – the taste. When I taste a gin for the first time, I always go back to basics, no fancy mixers, just a light, unflavoured tonic to let the gin do the talking. And let me tell you, Rock Rose does not disappoint. The juniper hits you first, bold and unapologetic, but it’s quickly followed by this floral-fruity warmth that’s just what you need on these cold winter evenings.  And once I’d finished my classic G&T it was time for cocktails! Whether you’re whipping up a posh martini or something festive with berries, Rock Rose adds that perfect touch of warmth and flavour to keep you glowing all night long.

At 41.5% ABV and around £36 a bottle, it’s a luxury worth every penny. So, if you want to be the queen (or king) of Christmas gifting this year give a bottle Rock Rose Gin. I’d be thrilled to find one under the tree and so will your lucky recipient. Cheers!

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar

advent calendar, alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Winter

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

For adults, advent calendars have taken on a whole new twist, and this year’s countdown to Christmas promises to be both sophisticated and delicious with That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar. It’s the ultimate treat for any gin enthusiast, turning each day of December into a journey of unique flavours and botanicals.

With 24 wax-sealed 30ml miniatures, each one distinct and some even holiday-themed (Christmas Pudding gin, anyone?), this calendar lets you savour a different gin every day. For the seasoned gin lover, it’s a fantastic chance to explore bold new flavors and perhaps uncover a new favourite along the way – scan the QR code and vote for your favourite!

The lineup is impressive, and a few sound especially exciting including Chocolate Orange Gin, Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Gin, and Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of gin, this calendar offers a festive array of smooth, spiced, citrusy, and Christmas-inspired gins. Many of these are hard to find in stores, adding a welcome element of surprise to each day’s tasting. Picture yourself winding down each evening with a “GINgle All The Way” in hand -now that’s the Christmas spirit!

Whether given as a gift or kept as a special treat for yourself, this gin advent calendar is a fun and exciting way to countdown to Christmas. Each day feels like a little celebration, and by Christmas Eve, you’ll have experienced a tour of the gin world from the comfort of your own home.

RRP £ 64.95

Manchester Gin

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Valentine's Day Gifts

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

Gin has become incredibly popular over the last few years with plenty of small distilleries starting up, each with their own unique gin flavours. Being a gin fan myself, I do enjoy sampling all the different types and when it comes from a city close to my heart it’s even better.

Manchester Gin was created back in 2016 by Jen Wiggins and Seb Heeley who met in a Manchester bar. They both shared a love of gin so decided to take the plunge and create their own starting distilling in their dining room. Fast forward to 2019, the couple opened a brand new distillery, bar and restaurant under railway arches in the centre of Manchester, where you can not only sample the gin but see it being made too.

Made in the heart of Manchester the aptly named Manchester Gin Signature is distilled in a copper still and is one of the most awarded gins in the country. It is a citrus-led gin with 12 botanicals including orange, lemon and dandelion and burdock. The gin is spicy and sweet and makes a very refreshing G&T.

I served the gin with a premium Indian tonic water and plenty of ice, adding lemon and lime slices to make the perfect G&T. This is a very refreshing crisp flavoured gin, having a real juniper punch and a delicate sweetness from the liquorice.

Once I had tried a traditional G&T it was time to hit the cocktails and I found it worked well in the classic Gin Fizz or add fresh lime juice, homemade lime syrup and mint for my favourite – the zingy Gimlet cocktail.

If you are heading up to Manchester any time soon you can book a distillery tour where you can see the process and taste their gin for yourself. For gin connoisseurs you can even create your own gin. If you can’t get up to Manchester then the 42% proof gin is available from The Whiskey Exchange at a very reasonable £34.95.