Sky Wave White Horse London Dry Gin

April 2024 Craft Gin Club boxOh hey there. It’s been a while. Isn’t it annoying when real life gets in the way of gin tasting on the internet? I received my March delivery from Craft Gin Club, but then had to go to LA to run a conference (I know right, it’s a hard life) and that kinda took over everything. But here I am getting back to normal. But enough about me, this gin comes from Sky Wave Distillery based in Oxfordshire and this edition – launched through Craft Gin Club – is inspired by the Uffington White Horse.

Sky Wave White Horse London Dry Gin

After visiting in the height of summer, founders Rachel and Andrew wanted to use local botanicals to create something new. Red clover flowers, cornflower petals and lavender team up with cardamom, ginger, lemon and orange to create a gin that has “bold juniper…with a light floral note”.

Sky Wave White Horse London Dry Gin neckOpening my bottle and I’m hit by juniper and something bright and green – I wasn’t expecting it to smell so herbaceous. In the glass you definitely get a waft of ethanol (the gin is 40% ABV), but luckily it doesn’t come across when you sip it. To taste it is definitely juniper led, with softer floral notes coming in at the end. You get some sharpness from the citrus, but it’s pretty well balanced. I hope this tastes as good with tonic as it does neat.

Sky Wave gin and tonicI’m using the supplied Navas tonic (but I refuse to do the 1:4 ration they recommend). I’m starting with equal amounts, and I’m glad I did. The bitterness from the tonic is obvious and has knocked out some of the gentler notes from the gin. However, the juniper still shines through and you get a nice warmth on the tip of your tongue from the ginger which lingers at the end.

Their Cocktail of the Month is a Cloud 9 – 50ml gin and 25ml syrup shaken with ice, then topped with Frobishers Apple and Elderflower. Now. The gin is nice. The fizz is nice. And yet the cocktail tastes of parma violets. I think as usual, the sugar syrup concoction doesn’t always actually add anything to the drink. I think the crisp apple mixer would be nice enough with the gin. It’s not terrible, but it’s not one I’m going to rush to recreate. I think sticking to a G&T or a martini is the way forward to enjoy this.

Sky Wave White Horse London Dry Gin is currently only available through the Craft Gin Club members’ shop for £40. If you want to get your hands on some, you can join via this link [note: if you use that link to sign up, you get a free taster box, and I get £10 off my next box).

You can find Sky Wave on Facebook, X and Instagram. Feel free to get in touch with me over on Instagram or X and let me know what you think.

 

Von Hallers gin

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Mainline Spirit Co Western Star Gin

Note: Mainline Spirit Co sent me a bottle to try, but as always this is my honest opinion

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The King of Soho gin review

Note: I was sent this gin free of charge to review here, but as always my thoughts remain impartial. There is also an affiliate link at the end which means I get a miniscule payment if you order gin via that link.

King of Soho ginI’ve seen The King of Soho gin around before – the blue bottle with gold lettering stands out on a back bar. I also have a feeling I might have tried it before in a pub, but this is the first time I’ve taken a proper look at it. Back in 2013, Alex Robson and Howard Raymond decided they wanted to make a gin to celebrate Howard’s father. Paul Raymond was known for his risqué shows in the heart of Soho, and they designed this spirit to be as vibrant as he was. Continue reading

Distillerie 3 Lacs Lemon Sunflower Gin

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York Gin Jorvik Spring

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Graveney Festive Fayre gin

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Highclere Castle gin – Interview

Last week I posted about Highclere Castle gin (if you missed this, you can catch up here). I wanted to learn more so snagged myself a quick Q&A with co-founder Adam von Gootkin…

Can you give us a quick introduction to yourself 
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