Flavor Profile
Malawi Gin has long had something of a cult following among British Tourists. They’d return home from vacations to the small African Nation and former British Colony raving about the local gin.
Ivan on TripAdvisor – ” I understand what you say about Malawi gin, it really is up there with the best.” and “Malawi gin is amazing, a real well kept secret, (magic as part of a G&T)”
Sadie on GinFestival.com – “My mum first had a bottle of this gin back in the 70’s and has never stopped talking about it being her favourite gin ever”
Phillip Briggs in Brandt Travel Guide Malawi –“The Malawi Gin is well-loved, so much so that manufacturers can’t always keep up with the demand….[the] MGT – Malawi Gin and Tonic that is – is practically mandatory.”
Howaboutwetryagain on Reddit /r/alcohol – “I’ve just returned from Malawi and I loved the gin they had over there. It’s just called Malawi gin. I wish I’d brought some back with me but I forgot.”
AppleBlossom on Trip Advisor – ” She was blown away by [Malawi Gin] and so bitterly regrets not be daring enough to try the elixir when she first received it! Hence her desperation in replenishing her stock!”
Ian60 on TES.com – “Malawi Gin is truly wonderful! I’ve always thought that they could see off a sizable chunck of the national debt through proper marketing.”
There is scant detail about the spirit available, but what we do know is that the base spirit is distilled from cane, and the flavoring is likely from juniper and other essences. The gin was first launched in 1965 and has been a big part of the local bar scene since. Though generally it was brought on to the market to cater to the growing expat population and British tourists, it has gained a following among locals and expats alike. The drink is so popular, the initialism MGT has entered into the local vernacular.
Did I mention it was also once sold in sachets?
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Clean, rather light nose, lacking in any real clear top notes. As it warms, hay, sweet orange and juniper emerge. It becomes more citrusy and sweet on the nose as the spirit begins to breathe.
Flavor: The palate is rather lively with a bright, sweet citrus laden burst. Right away, it crescendos! Sweet orange and mandarin, with peaks of lemon, and sweet lime, juniper is present, but rather flat. There’s the requisite piney note, with a faint spicy character behind it. It ends suddenly, without much of a finish.
Finish: Exceptionally short with few notes
Cocktails and suggested serves
But what I do find rather intriguing about it Malawi Gin is how well it works in a gin and tonic. It’s a refreshing MGT for sure and I can definitely see how this might be one of those vacation beverages. Try it with a classic Indian tonic like Fever Tree or Q.
As for other cocktails, I found the citrus notes to be a bit cloying in a Martini, though again, the addition of real citrus for a Gimlet seemed to round out and push those citrus notes back into the realm of real fruit (and out of the world of Skittles).
Overall
Overall, I think that Malawi Gin risks entering a crowded marketplace where there are many other gins doing the same thing. It risks compromising the romanticism, exoticism, and excitement that it gained from being unobtainable.
It tastes like an ordinary inexpensive gin, albeit one which makes a good gin and tonic.
A friend offered this to us when we over for drinks… said it was the best gin they’ve ever had.
We’re not friends with them anymore.
I loved the Malawi Gin. I love it, in as much as it did not come out to conquer the world. Its leaving a very good mark, making a very good G&T. Isn’t that what a good Gin does?? Overall, it’s got amazing balance I cannot fault it, it sat in glass and spoke clear flavors totally enjoyed it.
Malawi Gin is simply the country’s best export. I love how it goes so well with anything you try to chase it with. The current packaging is just on point.