Hendrick's Gin (75cl, 44%)

Hendrick's is a Scottish gin distilled at the Hendrick's Gin Palace in Girvan, South Ayrshire, in a 75cl bottle at 44% vol. It was conceived by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie and launched in 1999. Two stills of different design are used: a Bennett pot still built in 1860, which gives a rich spirit with robust botanical character, and a Carter Head still built in 1948, which gives a lighter, more delicate one. The two spirits are blended, then finished with essences of Bulgarian Damask rose petal and cucumber. Eleven botanicals are used, including juniper, chamomile, elderflower, coriander and orris root. The nose is floral, with rose, crisp cucumber, softened juniper and citrus zest. The palate is smooth and round, moving from gentle juniper into citrus, coriander and cubeb pepper, with cucumber mid-palate. The finish is long, ending on cucumber and dry, pithy citrus.