Review: Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
Review: Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
Empress 1908, the famously fluorescent blue gin colored with butterfly pea blossoms, added a pink companion to its solo lineup last year with the introduction of Elderflower Rose, an expression colored with rose and black carrot that we’ve yet to sample. Now, Victoria Distillers is releasing a third Empress offering, Cucumber Lemon. This one is, somewhat surprisingly, classically clear in color (or “water white” as professional spirits critics might say).
Keeping with the original Indigo expression’s inspiration, this latest Empress gin is inspired by flavors accompanying a proper English afternoon tea service. Specifically, the gin bill features eight botanicals including juniper berries, lemon, jasmine, star anise, cucumber, and lemon zest. The last two remain a mystery, at least to me. Thoughts follow.
Like the flagship Indigo offering, the aroma here initially approximates a classic London Dry with a foundation of juicy juniper berry and pine branches. Top notes of freshly squeezed lemon juice sweeten almost to limoncello and build with time in the glass before adding fresh cut cucumber slices. It doesn’t take long for the juniper to become something of an afterthought. On the palate, the juniper is even more restrained, buried under layers of lemonade, candied lemon peel, and muddled cucumber. It’s all quite bright and fresh with a balanced, airy sweetness that lingers on the gently peppered finish with hints of clove and lemon zest. Almost no need for the citrus in this G&T. Other more elaborate cocktail possibilities abound.
85 proof.
A- / $40 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
$40
