Never judge a book by its cover, is an adage that has stood me in good stead for many years, so why am I to be found stroking the frosted black bottle and label of Jaisalmer Gin, like some James Bond villain, stroking his cat?

Normally immune to artistic labels on bottles of alcohol, I am in awe of this design. The bottle is tactile, demanding to be admired and at the base, a small but pleasing punt. The label is ridged with embossed gold lettering on a black label and then a dramatic splash of turquoise that screams sophistication.

With expectations raised this high I fear that the gin will not be able to compete, despite the bold claim that it is ‘The whole of India in one bottle.’

Gin & Tonic was invented in India, when in the 1820’s, officers from the British Army, in an attempt to ward off malaria, mixed quinine with sugar and water creating the first Indian Tonic Water.  The addition of gin made the drink more palatable.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin harks back to the imperial age of the Maharajas, named after the historic Golden City of the same name and pronounced ‘Jessalmeer,’ it is located in the North West of India in the state of Rajasthan.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is a triple-distilled spirit, handcrafted in one of India’s oldest distilleries, located in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The use of botanicals is a time-honoured tradition in India and Jaisalmer’s gin recipe is derived from the ancient Indian knowledge of herbs. Seven of the 11 botanicals used in the distillation come from India; Coriander and Vetiver grown in the fields around Jaisalmer, sweet Orange peel from Central India, whilst the Cubeb Berries and Lemongrass are from Southern India. The Darjeeling Green tea leaves come from Eastern India and the Lemon Peel from Western India.

Truly the whole of India in one bottle.

 

The Master Distiller wanted to retain the classic gin flavour using juniper berries whilst adding a refreshing twist with the Indian botanicals.

So, with Copa glass filled with ice and a fat piece of orange peel, twisted to release its oil, it was with much trepidation that I poured my very first Jaisalmer Gin. (Tip – before twisting the peel run it around the rim of the glass)

With nose set as close to the ice cubes as I dare without risking frostbite, I am hit by an initial crisp aroma of zesty Lemon and Coriander.

This gin does not disappoint, with Pine notes from the Juniper, woody and earthy notes from the Angelica Root and Liquorice whilst the spicy definitive notes from Cubeb Pepper keep this gin medium to full-bodied.

Finally, there is the elegant and refreshing finish, that lingers long after the first sip and which in my case, left me smacking my lips with satisfaction.

Please don’t worry if you miss the Indian summer, this is a gin to be savoured on a mellow autumn afternoon or a dark winter evening and is so beautifully packaged that it would make a most welcome gift come Christmas.

There is also a very helpful list of recipes for cocktails and for the purposes of this review I made the

THE G&T Signature Serve and the Indian Negroni, both of which I can thoroughly recommend and I am looking forward to trying the others very soon. (Purely in the name of science you understand)

Images courtesy of Rob Lawson.

STOCKISTS -The Whisky Exchange www.thewhiskyexchange.com RSP: £34.95 for a 70cl bottle ABV: 43%