Features

Ginned up

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The evolution of terroir-driven made-in-B.C. gin

Some of the botanicals used to make gin; juniper, in the centre, is the only one that is absolutely essential. istockphoto.com photo

When news arrived that Sooke’s Sheringham Distillery had scooped Best Contemporary Gin in the World at the prestigious World Gin Awards, I, like so many others, was truly thrilled. After all, what an achievement for the relatively neophyte distillery perched on Canada’s wild and westernmost edge.

But there was also a personal connection, as the awards were judged at London’s Honourable Artillery Company, right across from where I used to stay at my Uncle Ricky’s apartment.

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Features, Recipes

Sheringham Cherub

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Photo courtesy of Sheringham Distillery

With elderflowers as early harbingers of summer, Sooke meets St-Germain in this house recipe from Sheringham Distillery.

• 1.5 oz Sheringham Seaside Gin
• 0.5 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 0.25 oz maple syrup
• 0.25 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz loganberry or strawberry purée
• 0.75 oz sparkling elderflower juice such as Bottle Green
Garnish: Lemon peel

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Bar Bites

Sheringham takes on the world

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Sheringham Distillery photo

While Sheringham Distillery’s new Red Fife Whisky is winning prizes in Canada, its original Seaside Gin is picking them up across the pond. The seaweed-infused spirit just took home the prize for Best Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards in London, UK.

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Tasting Panel

It’s G&T time

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The Alchemist’s tasting panel searches for the best B.C. gin to enjoy with your tonic

The G&T is a warm-weather classic. But which B.C. gin is the best choice?

Now that spring has finally sprung, we’re craving lighter sprits and fresher flavours. In other words, we’re craving gin, especially when it’s mixed with tonic water.

Our tasting panel comprising some of Vancouver’s top bartenders—Max Borrowman of Juniper Kitchen & Bar; Amber Bruce of The Keefer Bar; J-S Dupuis of Wentworth Hospitality (Tableau Bar Bistro, Homer St. Café); and Josh Pape of Gooseneck Hospitality (Wildebeest, Bells and Whistles, Bufala, Lucky Taco)—sampled nine B.C. artisanal gins, suggested the best cocktails to make with them, and then mixed them with tonic water to determine which worked best.

Here’s what they had to say.

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Features

Spirited gifts

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We asked some top B.C. bartenders which bottle of local spirits they would put on their Christmas list

L’Abattoir’s Katie Ingram longs to make a Rodney’s Roy, with Laird of Fintry Single Malt. Supplied photo

Katie Ingram

Lead Bartender, L’Abattoir Restaurant

I’d pick Okanagan Spirits Laird of Fintry Single Malt Whisky. It is a Scotch-style single malt made with 100 per cent B.C. malted barley using French and American oak, and finished in Okanagan wine barrels. The nose is unbelievable with plum, vanilla, raisins, berries, poached pears, nuts, and classic oak characteristics that continue on the palate. It has a dry finish with a hint of sweet vanilla and baking spices. I would make a twist on a Rob Roy — a Rodney’s Roy — with 2 oz. Laird of Fintry,
0.3 oz. Noilly Prat Rouge,
0.3 oz. Noilly Prat Ambre and two dashes Bittered Sling Cascade Celery Bitters.

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Recipes

Local Negroni

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Rob Scope’s Local Negroni uses four distillled-in-BC products. Lou Lou Child photo

• 0.25oz Sheringham Seaside Gin
• 0.5oz Odd Society Bittersweet Vermouth
• 0.5oz deVine Moderna Vermouth
• 0.75oz The Woods Amaro

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B.C. Distilleries

Sheringham Distillery

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Jason MacIsaac was a successful chef before he turned distiller, and he brings his local, sustainable attitude toward food to his small batch spirits.

2631 Seaside Dr., Shirley
778.528.1313
SheringhamDistillery.com

Read more about Sheringham Distillery:

• Recipe: Sheringham Cherub

• Sheringham takes on the world

• Zero-Sum Game: Don’t call them mocktails: #spiritfree and #placebo drinks are a growing wellness trend

• Island Time: For the third year in a row a B.C. distillery has won the Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year—and for the second time, it’s Sheringham Distillery on Vancouver Island.

• Ginned up: The evolution of terroir-driven made-in-B.C. gin

• Recipe: Locals Only Negroni

• It’s G&T time: The Alchemist’s tasting panel searches for the best B.C. gin to enjoy with your tonic

• Recipe: Ambrosia

• Canada’s best artisan spirits announced: Sheringham Akvavit named Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year

• Star Anise: How a Scandinavian classic is warming hearts in B.C.

• Recipe: Don’t call me Shirley!

• Recipe: Bring out the Gimlet

• Recipe: Local Negroni

• A matter of taste: At Sheringham Distillery, Jason MacIsaac brings a chef’s palate to the still

PRODUCTS:

• Kazuki Gin
• Seaside Gin
• Akvavit
• Vodka
• Coffee Liqueur
• Lumette! zero-proof gin

TASTING NOTES:

Vodka

FRAGRANCE: Floral, with white pepper nose.
FLAVOUR: Light, slightly sweet.
FEEL: Well balanced, thin finish.
FINISH: Tad bit of tropical fruit, very pleasant.
BEST ENJOYED: On the rocks, lemon twist.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Pleasing, great packaging, good Martini vodka. —Shaun Layton, July 2016

Akvavit

FRAGRANCE: Citrus and anise.
FLAVOUR: Spicy caraway.
FEEL: Oily and mouth-coating. 
FINISH: Sweet and warming. Long.
BEST ENJOYED: As an aperitif before a good meal, especially fish.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A beautiful medley of botanicals that sing in perfect harmony. A great twist on the Scandinavian spirit. —Robyn Gray, October 2016

Dark Chocolate Vodka

FRAGRANCE: Cocoa nibs and raw bitter chocolate.
FLAVOUR: Real, proper crushed cocoa.
FEEL: Lean. More booze than sugar.
FINISH: Long and even.
BEST ENJOYED: An a well made chocolate Martini — spirit forward and not overly sweet. 
THE BOTTOM LINE: A refreshing alternative to all of the sickly sweet chocolate products available in our market. —Josh Pape, February 2017

Seaside Gin

FRAGRANCE: Fragrant, floral, damp wild flowers, seaside walks.
FLAVOUR: A bit savoury, piney juniper notes, candied violets, wild elderflower.
FEEL: Very balanced, great viscosity.
FINISH: Danky, savoury, pleasant briny finish.
BEST ENJOYED: This gin screams G&T or a citrus forward cocktail. Works great with shrubs. 
THE BOTTOM LINE: A phenomenal gin, not for Martinis, but for mixed drinks. One of the best in BC, buy now! —Shaun Layton, July 2017

Barrel-Aged Seaside Gin

FRAGRANCE: Salty and briney, mild citrus.
FLAVOUR: Citrusy, mostly lemon. Some juniper and savoury notes.
FEEL: Mouth-coating. Very pleasant.
FINISH: Lengthy, with more of the savoury botanicals sticking around.
BEST ENJOYED: Cold with lemon zest.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I can typically take or leave oak-aged gins; this one is interesting and worth a chance. —Trevor Kallies, October 2017