ORGANIC GINS NEW EXPERIMENTAL SPIRITS

ORGANIC GINS, NEW EXPERIMENTAL SPIRITS

Officially some of the world's most innovative spirits, the Ncn’ean and Anty gins have come to stir the waters in the lucrative market for posh spirits.

Ncn’ean gin is a hybrid spirit that both gin and whisky enthusiasts would love to drink. Inspired by the wild herbs and flowers that grow at Scotland’s remote

Morvern peninsula, the gin is triple distilled with ten foraged botanicals, including wild bog myrtle, sorrel, heather and thyme. Said to be the first fully organic spirit, the result has a striking aromatic scent combining creamy and nutty notes of barley with a hint of salty sea breeze, alongside delicate pepperiness and fruit undertone. The botanical spirit is best

served with tonic water, a dash of Angostura bitters and plenty of ice, offering a distinct flavour that certainly makes the drink stand out from the most regular gins. With a limited run of 5,000 bottles, the spirit is available directly from Ncn’ean in 500ml bottles at the price of €35 only.

'We want eyebrows to be raised. The whole point of Anty Gin is to open people's eyes to the possibility of insects being used as a viable source of food and flavour.'

Will Lowe, The Cambridge Distillery

Anty gin is the result of a joint venture between the experimental Copenhagen-based Nordic Food Lab and The Cambridge Distillery. It is a somewhat different gin to the market as the world’s first gin to be made from insects. Specifically, each bottle of Anty gin contains the essence of approximately 62 red wood ants, named Formica rufa and found in forests around the Northern Hemisphere. The final blend is distilled with a handful of springtime botanicals including juniper berries, nettle and wild wood avens to complement and add complexity to the distinctive citrus flavour created by distilling the ants. From foraging to bottling and handlabelling, every step of the process is done with a dedication to craft. On the nose: rich, powdery and slightly vinegary with a hint of jasmine, lemon and lime zest. A 50ml dropper bottle of pure ant distillate is also provided if you wish to experience the unique flavour of the Formica rufa in isolation, or to intensify the citrus flavour of the spirit. What is certain is that once braved, never forgotten! The Anty gin makes an exceptional gift for a collector of rare spirits or a bold gastronomic adventurer.