The four main botanicals in my gin
Juniper berries: Legally these must be the main botanical in gin. Technically juniper is a cone, not a berry. Each cone has 6-8 seeds. Juniper is often the first thing you may smell in a gin. I would describe its taste as being fresh, forestry, tart and sharp, with a resinous, piney flavour. It also has hints of citrus and overlaps with part of the coriander seeds flavour.
Coriander seed: The second most used botanical after juniper. It is a rare to find a gin that doesn’t include coriander seed. I think that genever (a juniper only) is the only “gin” that doesn’t . Coriander has a complex flavour once distilled, often described as citrusy, nutty and a little spicy. Typically its flavour is more discernible towards the end gins flavour journey. If a gin contains citrus, these elements will come off upfront while the citrusy nature of coriander seed will present itself thereafter –towards the heart / end of a gin.
Angelica root: Once distilled, angelica has an earthy flavour. It’s a little bitter and a little herbal. The herbal tones carry through to the nose, with a faintly nettle-like smell. The flavour of angelica can sometimes be mistaken for that of juniper berries – though the two are quite separate.
I also tend to add orris root, the dried root of an iris (it needs to dry for three to five years before being ground to a powder). When distilled, orris root retains its floral notes, but it also carries an earthy, dusty sweetness that falls somewhere in the middle of grass and hay. The nose is dry, sweet and clean, while the mouth is strong, sweet and woody. Orris has cheek filling qualities and is capable of adding depth and texture to a gin.
These four botanicals blend together, and overlap. The gin’s nose and taste profile vary depending on their ratios, how I blend, prepare and distil them, together with what other botanicals I choose to add. To add further complexity the final taste will also vary dependant on length of maceration in the base alcohol, how I prepare the botanical, and how it is added.
The combinations of botanicals are immense, hence the joy of gin, and the reason it took me a very long journey for me to find a perfect recipe. Signature has a blend of 11 botanicals.
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