This week we have a very special kind of review, a first for me on this page: A double feature! Today we’re looking at two bottles that are sold at England’s National Memorial Arboretum, their dry gin, and their navy strength rum! This post will be focusing on the gin, while the sister post will focus on the rum!
Bottled at 43% ABV, this gin contains an uncommon botanical in the form of poppy seeds. These are very thematic to the location they come from as, for those of you who are unaware, the National Memorial Arboretum is effectively a large park with monuments and architecture designed to pay tribute to the memories of individuals who passed away in the line of duty. I visit semi-regularly due to a family member of mine who passed away a while ago and who has a few dedications in the arboretum. It was on one of these visits I found these spirits.
The smell has a very prominent juniper and coriander profile, fusing with sharp lime and refreshing pear to form the base of this aroma. The nosing continues into earthy tones of balsa wood and cassia bark, complimented nicely by spicy poppy seeds. The front greets us with powerful spicy poppy seeds and peppercorn, while a gentle hum of sweet lavender lingers under the surface. The main body continues with much the same flavour, but with a more prominent tone of sweet lemon, and grounded with a faint oak flavour. The finish is warm and tingling, sending off the intense, spicy body with a sweet and sour medley of different citrus fruits.
When diluted the gin’s nosing becomes a lot simpler, mostly containing only the earthy wood and citrus notes of the base spirit, though the citrus is notably sweeter. The taste is more delicate, but is otherwise the same as the neat gin also. I find that when diluted it’s a fantastic sipping tipple.
This gin is a bit deceptive, as the nosing is far more interesting and complex than the taste of the spirit itself! Though the simpler flavour works well with the overall smoothness of the dram, even when neat! Ideally due to the prominent citrus notes, this would be paired with an equally citrusy mixer, such as lemonade or, if the spicy notes are a bit too much for you, bitter lemon.
All round this is a great casual gin, it’s not trying to be anything crazy or ground-breaking, but what it is trying to do is be a good drink, which it is. If it’s still available to buy the next time you visit the National Memorial Arboretum and you’re a lover of gin, be it casual or enthusiast, I do recommend picking up a bottle if for no other reason than you’ll be supporting a good cause!
If you would like to read the other half of this double feature, click here!
This post’s recommended song is: “Soldiers Of The Queen” – The Bands of the Queen’s Regiment
