Opihr Gin Spices of the Orient - 70 cl

Product Information

Some traditional spices can be found in most gins, not just spiced ones, as they are considered as ‘core botanicals’. In spiced gins the distiller might want to bring out these flavours more by using larger quantities of the core spices. For example, coriander seeds will add citrusy notes, nuttiness, warmth and a hint of spiciness when distilled. It is actually the second most used botanical after juniper. The Poetic License flagship gin went on to win a whole host of prestigious awards, giving Mark the confidence to build the brand further and develop more exciting recipes for adventurous gin drinkers to enjoy.

You can also experiment with the fruits that you’d like to include - we’ve kept it fairly simple below, with just the addition of bright and citrusy orange zest, but popping some clementines, sloes or even plums into the mixture while it’s steeping would result in a wonderfully deep, flavoured result. A key variation in Spiced Gin is in the spices in them, with every distillery having their own combination and recipe. If you're looking for a warming winter spiced gin, recipes including cloves, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon will be right up your street (and be sure to read our Christmas Gin Guide for some festive options too). For flavour profiles inspired by Asian gastronomy, look for gins featuring start anise, Kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass, cassia bark and cardamom. Gins prominently featuring ginger, peppercorns or chilli may give you a spicier and more fiery flavour profile, while gins focused on cinnamon, cassia bark and cardamom will fit the bill nicely if you're looking for something with softer, aromatic spice. Taste the infusion – it should have taken on some lovely juniper ginnyness already. Add your fresh peel, along with any extra botanicals whose flavour you want to boost. Leave the liquid to sit for a couple of days and then filter out any remaining sediment – and put it through a water filter jug if you want to make it even clearer.* It goes without saying that Red Snapper is an ideal recipe for gins with a spicy and warming flavour profile. Spiced gins to trySacred Gin, 40% ABV – The botanicals list includes cardamom, nutmeg, liquorice and frankincense. They also have a Cardamom Gin (43.8%) and Coriander Gin (43.8%) for those who enjoy these botanicals more. They aren’t for everyone’s palate. You can also add more or less sugar based on how sweet and syrupy you want your gin liqueur to come out - the more sugar you add, the more treacly your liqueur will become (all the better for drinking neat or over ice!). Spiced gins are warm, spicy, nutty and sometimes a bit earthy. Distilleries not only use the traditional spices found along the Maritime Silk Road, but also many more ‘modern’ botanicals. Bottle your gin – feel free to create your own label if you want – and you’re ready to try your creation out on your nearest and dearest! Zealot’s Heart, 44% ABV – This juniper-forward gin is made with a wide array of botanicals, including grains of paradise, Szechuan peppercorns, Sansho peppercorns, allspice, coriander and mace. The flavour profile is more citrus and floral, however, with sweet spice lingering throughout.

Liquorice has a long-lasting, sweet and woody flavour. Liquorice neutralises any bitterness that might come from other botanicals, bringing out the best in them. It is similar to anise, but without the menthol. Botanicals: Juniper, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Seed, Ginger, Nutmeg, Liquorice Root, Cassia Bark, Allspice, Coriander Seed, Angelica Root, Orris Root, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel

Distiller Notes

Ludlow Spiced Gin, 42% ABV – The spice list includes ginger, nutmeg, caraway, cubeb, grains of paradise, liquorice and cassia. Almond and elderberries help to balance the spices. Cassia bark is similar to cinnamon and this often leads to confusion between the two botanicals in both taste and texture. Cassia bark adds a sweet flavour with an extra peppery punch. The artisans at Poetic License ended up making a whole selection of delicious gins and liqueurs, crafted with Mark’s bold ethos in mind. Spiced gins lend themselves to Negroni and you see it recommended by pretty much most brands. Martinez works with many gins, as the vermouth can handle stronger spices. Even better if you can find an oak-aged spiced gin! Another classic is a Dry Martini, but I wouldn’t necessarily enjoy this with gins that have an extra peppery finish or strong cardamom notes.

Nutmeg gives a lengthy finish, although not necessarily a nutty one. It has a slight warmth on the palate, yet the taste is earthy and a little bit sweet. Tasting notes: On the nose, notes of aromatic nutmeg and cinnamon. On the palate, sweet pumpkin intertwined with the slightest twist of citrus, followed by piney juniper. A warming autumnal spiced note lingers on the finish. Pink peppercorn is spicy, but when used in gin it is not overly hot. The light spiciness of pink pepper works nicely together with sweeter botanicals. Portobello Road Gin, 42% ABV – This one is more classic London Dry-style gin, but includes botanicals such as coriander, orris root, liquorice root, cassia bark and nutmeg.

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It also matters how you serve the gin. On its own, the flavour profile may not work for you, but once mixed with the right tonic and garnish, the notes are better balanced. Play around with different fruit and see what works for the gin in question and matches your palate. Without the final distillation process used by the pros, your own batch will come out looking a bit yellowy or orange, depending on which botanicals you use. This won’t do you any harm, but if you’d rather have a clearer-looking spirit, you can simply pass it through a water filter jug a few times (we don’t normally bother though as it doesn’t affect the taste!). Many fresh citrus juices, syrups and liqueurs pair well with spiced gins. Try blood orange, sweet or bitter oranges, pink grapefruit or mandarin. Even lemon and lime work with most. Hayman’s Spiced Sloe Gin, 26.4% ABV – Hayman’s upgraded their sloe gin by adding some seasonal spices to it. Overall McQueen Smokey Chilli Gin, 42% ABV – Made using chipotle and smoked chilli. They also have a new Five Chilli Gin (37.5% ABV). Both warming on the palate for sure.