Sipsmith Sloe Gin (75cl, 29%)

A sloe gin made by steeping wild-harvested sloe berries in Sipsmith's London Dry Gin for several months. Sipsmith Distillery, founded in 2009, was the first copper-pot distillery to open in London in nearly 200 years. For this expression, the distillery team and local volunteers hand-pick wild sloe berries during annual autumn sloe-picking parties, then steep them in Sipsmith London Dry Gin for three to four months. The nose shows redcurrant, ripe winter fruits, stone-fruit almond and gentle sweetness. The palate opens with cassis and soft cherry, then raspberry, tart brightness, velvety mouthfeel and the juniper and citrus backbone of the base gin. The finish is medium, with tart fade, berry sweetness and faint almond dryness.