Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you’re stuck for ideas on what to get Dad this Father’s Day, I’ve got a cracking suggestion for you – how about a bottle of gin made by none other than James May? Yes, really! The much-loved star of Top Gear and The Grand Tour has swapped fast cars for slow distilling, teaming up with gin expert Hugh Anderson from Downton Distillery to create something truly unique: a gin made with parsnips. I know what you’re thinking – parsnips and gin? But stay with me!
Originally, James just wanted to make a small batch of gin to serve in his pub, The Royal Oak in Wiltshire. But thanks to Hugh’s encouragement, they decided to produce 1,400 bottles for the public. Well, they sold out faster than you can say “reasonably priced car”! Now, you can pick up a bottle of James Gin Asian Parsnip in Waitrose, which is perfect timing for Father’s Day.
So how did this unusual idea come about? James wanted to create a gin that was unmistakably British, something that reminded him of good old Blighty. Parsnips, with their earthy, slightly sweet flavour, felt just right. But to add a bit of excitement, he decided to bring in the warm, aromatic spices you’d find in Indian cuisine. And just like that, the idea of Asian Parsnip gin was born, celebrating the comforting flavours of home with a little exotic twist.
The gin itself is packed with 12 botanicals, including parsnip, ginger, caraway seed, cubeb pepper, fenugreek, cardamom, grains of paradise, liquorice root, sweet orange, juniper, angelica root, and coriander seed. The base spirit is a smooth grain, giving it a lovely, clean finish.
Now, onto the important part, the taste. I always like to keep it simple when trying a new gin, so I had it with a splash of plain tonic. And do you know what? It’s absolutely lovely. Slightly sweet, with a gentle warmth from the spices, and yes, there’s a hint of parsnip, but it all comes together beautifully. It’s just a little bit different, in the best possible way.
So if Dad’s a gin lover and you’re after a gift that’s out of the ordinary this Father’s Day, James Gin Asian Parsnip might just be the perfect pick.
RRP £36, available at Waitrose.
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