I’m very lucky in lots of ways.
I have nice friends who sometimes ask me to join them at tastings of delicious alcoholic things poured into glasses. I’m generally in a rush to get there and not in a rush to leave.
Pals asked me to meet them at Dace Tearooms in Crosby for a gin tasting. Dace is just a little walk away from where I live, so all was good on the arrival front. But it was a little bit of a struggle activating the legs on the departure front and I needed a lift home.
That’s what comes of sipping gin in its many variations, alongside the ample amount of mixers and fruit “dippings” proprietor Chris Dace provided to enhance the six gins on offer.
Gin tasting: The menu
Here’s the six gins in the order they were tasted. I’ve followed Chris’ botanical notes from the night, found links and indicated prices which I’ve Googled from t’Interweb.
Oh, and there’s a comment or two from tasters overheard nearby.
Spitfire Heritage Gin
Botanicals: Juniper, two types of orange, almonds, borage, coriander, rosemary, star anise, rose petals
Our thoughts: Aromas of almond oil and oranges; earthy and interesting.
Price: mid-£40s
(includes Wine Rack stores and Master of Malt)
www.spitfireheritagegin.com
Ish London Dry Gin
Botanicals: Juniper, angelica root, coriander, orris root, orange peel, nutmeg, cassia bark, liquorice, cinnamon, lemon peel.
Our thoughts: Well it was -ish. Mizzled wet slate slabs from the Lake District.
(I don’t make these things up, honest)
Price: I’ve found from mid-£20s to mid-£30s
(includes The Drink Shop)
www.ishgin.com
Hunters Premium Cheshire Gin
Botanicals: Juniper, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, apples, lemon peel, coriander seeds.
Our thoughts: Eerm, not sure how to say this, but Shake n Vac? (not my comment!) A bit of tannin too. And quity spicy.
Price: I’ve found from mid-£20s to mid-£30s
(includes Master of Malt)
www.huntersgin.com
Pickerings Original 1947 Gin
Botanicals: Juniper, cardamom, coriander, clove, cinnamon, angelica, fennel, anise, lemon, lime.
Our thoughts: Ooo aniseed. That would be from the fennel and anise then??
Price: Around £29
(includes 31Dover.com)
www.pickeringsgin.com
Ormskirk Gin
Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, ginger, orris root, lemon peel, angelica, cardamom, cassia.
Our thoughts: Ginger on the front foot here with citrus as a curve ball.
Price: Around £39.50
mygin.co.uk
Ungava Canadian Premium Gin
Botanicals: Nordic juniper, wild rosehips, cloudberry, crowberry, arctic blend, Labrador tea, (and secret ingredients!)
Our thoughts: We liked this one. Flowers and fruit making a statement and some complexity.
Price: Around £29 – £32.
(includes Shop4Whisky.com)
www.ungava-gin.com
The gin tasting venue
A nod to Chris for being an informative host on the evening. Chris worked at Formby Golf Club as house manager and while there, he completed his WSET intermediate and diploma courses.
He opened Dace Tearooms (132-134 College Road) with his wife in February 2014.
Chris runs a monthly wine tasting and every two months or so, he hosts a gin tasting.
Upcoming 2016 dates include:
Malbec wine tasting Sept 30
Rum tasting October 14
Gin tasting November 4
Contact Chris at 0151 924 9185, or check out the tea room Facebook page – follow them on Twitter @dacecrosby – or Instagram @dace_tearoom
Ormskirk Gin??!? That I’ve got to try! 🙂
I think as a nation we’re aiming for every town to have its own gin