Citadelle Rouge Gin (70cl, 41.7%)

A French gin distilled with five red fruits and 19 classic botanicals. Despite its name, the liquid is crystal clear, with all fruit character coming through distillation alone and no added colour, sugar or artificial flavouring. The base spirit is French wheat, triple-distilled through a column still and then distilled a fourth time in a small 200-litre cognac copper pot still. Twenty-four botanicals are introduced by Citadelle's patented Progressive Infusion method, including cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant and rhubarb, all distilled rather than macerated. The nose opens with fresh red berries, currants and blueberries, with juniper, citrus peel and herbaceous depth beneath. The palate brings tart cranberry and raspberry, herbal spice, lemon zest and earthy rhubarb, finishing medium and smooth with lingering red fruit and mild peppery warmth.