Echlinville Irish Gin (50cl, 46%)

An Irish pot still gin from County Down, Northern Ireland. Production begins on the distillery's own barley fields: the grain is harvested, malted by hand on the malting floor and distilled into the alcohol base, then slowly distilled in a pot still. Botanicals include juniper, elderflower, lavender, gorse, rose, fresh lemon, cassia and sugar kelp from Strangford Lough. Floral and citrus impressions meet a creamy malt character. It is bottled at 46% in a 50cl bottle. Nose: fresh floral and lively citrus notes with gentle sweetness and a hint of malt. Palate: anise and lavender first, then juniper and coriander; sweetness and malt accompany this, with a creamy mouthfeel. Finish: rose petals in the foreground, with pine and citrus notes returning.