Illicit Gin Original (70cl, 40%)

Illicit Original is a London dry gin from the Illicit Spirits Distillery in Glasgow, bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. It is made in small batches in a direct-fired copper pot still, a method inspired by the illicit distillers of old. The distillery was established in 2017 by Darran Edmond and works from a repurposed railway arch in Tradeston, using a 150L still. The nose opens with resinous juniper, pine and citrus peel, fresh and slightly mentholic. On the palate clove, cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth against light citrus, with an initial fruit cake sweetness giving way to slight bitterness. The finish is long and drying, with nutmeg and a hint of ginger.