Salcombe Gin, renowned for its craftsmanship and distinctive flavour profiles, has partnered with Fortnum & Mason to create Salcombe Gin x Fortnum & Mason Moscatel Cask Aged Gin 2024 Release, the iconic British retailer’s first single cask aged gin.
Inspired by Salcombe Gin’s love of adventure, the exceptional single cask aged gin showcases a unique approach to cask ageing of cask first, liquid second. Working with world famous Fortnum & Mason, known for its extraordinary food and drink experiences, the new release started its journey in Portugal. The gin’s recipe and botanical profile were carefully developed to work in harmony with a hand selected American oak cask that had previously held a five year-old Moscatel do Douro wine and which was supplied by Niepoort, one of Portugal’s most notable wine producers. By teasing out its finest qualities and selecting botanicals that accentuate the aromas and flavours, the cask became an inspiring botanical partner.
The gin was then aged for over four years in the cask at Salcombe Gin’s waterside distillery and still retains the freshness of the day it was first distilled, with added depth of flavour and layers of sweet apricots, almonds and a rich nuttiness reminiscent of Christmas fruit and nut cake, all imparted by the cask.
Angus Lugsdin, co-founder and director of Salcombe Gin, comments on the collaboration: “As a long-time admirer of Fortnum & Mason and its attention to detail and desire to showcase the very best brands in the world, I am proud to partner with them and to have created a special release that showcases our tailored approach to maturing gin in casks. It is even more special, as it rekindles our connection with Niepoort, also a long-time partner of Fortnum & Mason, showcasing one of its amazing wines through a beautiful oak cask that still bears the cooperage mark. There is a certain magic that happens when you allow a liquid to slowly mature in a cask, made even more exciting by the virtue of the fact that the liquid has been tailored to the cask, to tease out every last drop of aroma and flavour whilst treating the cask with the utmost respect.”
Oscar Dodd, Wine and Spirits Buyer at Fortnum & Mason, adds: “As one of the first retailers to list Salcombe Gin ‘Start Point’’ back in 2017, I have viewed Salcombe’s ascent with great interest; when Angus pitched the idea of creating an exclusive spirit for Fortnum & Mason – that would showcase their innovative approach to cask matured gin – I was keen to explore further. By creating unique gin recipes for ageing in the various and interesting casks he procures, Angus produces liquids that call into question what you thought you knew about gin.”
The result is a gin which is a perfect serve for the festive season: fragrant and floral on the nose with hints of candied orange peel, sweet brioche and spiced nuts. On the palate, sweet dried apricots follow orchard fruits and a touch of gentle citrus, reminiscent of a freshly made trifle with moist fruit cake and candied citrus that lingers on the finish.
Salcombe Gin x Fortnum & Mason Moscatel Cask Aged Gin 2024 Release readily blurs boundaries across spirit categories. It is best enjoyed on its own over ice with a twist of flamed orange peel to garnish, but works equally well in an Old Fashioned, traditionally a whisky-based cocktail, or in normally brandy-based cocktails such as an Alexander.
The special new release, which is exclusive to Fortnum & Mason, is available from all Fortnum & Mason stores and online at fortnumandmason.com or salcombegin.com from September 2024.
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