Spirited Babble

Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin

Luxardo started to produce its London Dry Gin in 1936, based on the family’s original recipe dating back to the famed “Ginepro di Dalmazia” or Juniperus Oxycedrus (which is produced by steam distilling the branches and berries of the Juniper tree to release its fresh and earthy essential oils.) also known as the “Prickly Juniper” which is native to the Mediterranean and contains several naturally occurring beneficial compounds. Fruit gins were once all the rage in Europe: lemon gin, orange gin, even asparagus gin once graced the shelves that Luxardo would eventually infuse their London Dry Gin with their legendary marasca cherry juice…which is said to be the only sour cherry gin in the world!

Despite its dark, thick appearance this gin has very classic botanicals that are clear and enticing on the nose: juniper, coriander, cinnamon, iris, angelica, sedge, liquorice, cardamon and bitter orange. Those botanicals are infused in alcohol for 24 hour in traditional copper pot stills before distillation and aging, with further refinement for another 19 days before filtering and bottling. It’s beautiful cherry fruit notes and almond stone minerality provide a solid base on the palate. In the mouth it is simply delicious! Full-bodied and not sweet like a few sloe gin liqueurs, and it is balanced with fruit,  ginger spice flavours, and a slightly tart note. Lovely on its own or pair with more citrusy tonics.

Salute!