Flavor Profile
Edinburgh Gin Distillery’s line of flavored gins (not to be confused with their gin liqueurs) accentuates the flavors of the British countryside, paired with their flagship gin. In this case, they take British Goosegogs and pair then with the most ubiquitous of gin floral botanicals— the elderflower.
The botanicals are added by post-distillation infusion and is bottled at 40% ABV.
Tasting notes
Color: Pale straw and transparent.
Aroma: Breathy with lots of elderflower, heather, juniper and angelica.
Flavor: Early, somewhat sweet with powdery elderflower and a citrus-like impression suggestive of lemon peel. Mid-palate the elderflower continues to be the dominant botanical, but you get some more core gin flavors. Green juniper is at low volume but present in the background. Coriander and orris notes begin to emerge more as it recedes on the palate.
The gooseberries offer some plum flavor, but mostly the impression of citrus throughout the mid-palate and finish. Towards the end, it’s coriander, gooseberry, lemon, and that hint of orris.
Finish: Only a mild warmth accompanied with elderflower leaving an impression of raw Bartlett pears.
Cocktails and suggested serves
Ideally suited for mixed drinks, Edinburgh Gooseberry and Elderflower Gin is best suited for a gin and soda or gin and lemonade.
While it is a full strength gin, it’s not an ideal candidate for most cocktails as a replacement for a standard gin. The elderflower can be a bit overwhelming— it’s more like Bluecoat’s Elderflower Gin than Warner Edward’s.
Overall, Edinburgh Gooseberry and Elderflower Gin
While elderflower might deserve top-billing, the Gooseberry is present and complimentary, although it gets lost a bit in some of the impressions of citrus.
It’s a challenging mixing gin, as many flavored gins can be. However, if you’re looking for an Elderflower flavored gin it is among the better options on the market. Many will appreciate the way it meets the flavor without losing the gin notes. A good balance, if a very niche spirit.
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