Cloves Fine popular spice Gin Botanical
Cloves, a popular spice used in cuisines around the world, have a distinct and strong flavor that adds depth and warmth to any dish. This aromatic spice comes from the flower buds of the clove tree, native to Indonesia. Cloves have been used for centuries in cooking, medicine, and even as a natural insect repellent. In recent years, cloves have also gained popularity as a key botanical in gin production, adding a unique and complex flavor profile to this beloved spirit.
One of the reasons why cloves have become a sought-after botanical in gin production is their bold and spicy flavor profile. Cloves have a warm, pungent taste with a hint of sweetness and a touch of bitterness, making them a versatile ingredient that pairs well with a variety of other botanicals. When used in gin, cloves can impart a rich and complex flavor that enhances the overall taste of the spirit. Their distinct aroma and taste can add depth and character to a gin, making it stand out from other spirits on the market.
In addition to their flavor profile, cloves also bring a range of health benefits to the table. Cloves are known for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, making them a valuable ingredient in traditional medicine. When consumed in moderation, cloves can help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. By including cloves in gin production, distillers are not only adding a unique flavor to their spirits but also potentially enhancing their health benefits.
Furthermore, cloves have a long history of being used in culinary and medicinal applications, dating back to ancient times. In traditional Chinese medicine, cloves were used to treat digestive issues, respiratory problems, and even as a pain reliever. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, cloves were valued for their antibacterial and analgesic properties. By incorporating cloves into gin production, distillers are paying homage to this rich cultural heritage while also adding a modern twist to a classic botanical.
Overall, cloves are a versatile and flavorful spice that has found a new home in the world of gin production. With their bold and spicy flavor profile, health benefits, and historical significance, cloves add a unique and complex element to gin that sets it apart from other spirits. Whether enjoyed on its own or in a cocktail, gin infused with cloves is sure to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression on those who indulge in its rich and aromatic flavors.
Cloves spice grow and harvest
Cloves are a popular spice that are commonly used in a variety of culinary dishes around the world. The cloves plant is a tropical evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. Cloves are actually the unopened flower buds of the clove tree, and are harvested before they bloom to ensure the highest quality and flavor.
Cloves are typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions that have a warm and humid climate. The clove tree thrives in rich, well-drained soil and requires plenty of sunlight to grow. The trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and produce clusters of fragrant, pinkish flowers. It takes about 5-7 years for a clove tree to reach maturity and start producing buds that are ready for harvest.
The harvesting process for cloves is labor-intensive and requires careful timing to ensure the buds are picked at the right stage of development. Cloves are harvested by hand when they are still tightly closed and pink in color. The buds are carefully plucked from the tree and then left to dry in the sun for several days. The drying process is crucial as it helps to intensify the flavor of the cloves and preserve them for long-term storage.
After the cloves have been dried, they are sorted and graded based on size and quality. The highest quality cloves are those that are plump, symmetrical, and have a rich, dark color. These premium cloves are then packaged and shipped to markets around the world where they are sold for use in cooking, baking, and various other applications.
In conclusion, cloves are a versatile and highly prized spice that has been used for centuries in a variety of cuisines. The process of growing and harvesting cloves is a labor-intensive one that requires careful attention to detail and timing. By understanding the intricate process of how cloves are grown and harvested, we can appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into producing this beloved spice.
Cloves have been used for centuries for both culinary and medicinal purposes. These dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) are known for their strong and warm aroma, as well as their distinctive flavor. Cloves are commonly used in cooking to add depth and complexity to dishes, but they are also used in the production of gin, a popular spirit known for its botanical complexity.
In the distillation process of gin, a variety of botanicals are used to impart different flavors and aromas to the final product. Cloves are one of the key botanicals used in gin distilleries, along with juniper berries, coriander, and citrus peel. Cloves add a warm and spicy character to gin, complementing the other botanicals and helping to create a harmonious and well-balanced spirit.
The exact role of cloves in gin distillation can vary depending on the specific recipe and distillation process used by each distillery. Some distilleries may choose to use whole cloves in the distillation process, while others may use clove oil or a clove infusion to add the desired flavor profile to their gin. Regardless of the method used, cloves are essential in creating the complex and nuanced flavors that gin is known for.
Cloves are prized for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which can help to preserve the quality of gin and extend its shelf life. The natural oils found in cloves also contribute to the mouthfeel and texture of gin, adding a rich and velvety quality to the spirit. Additionally, cloves are known for their warming and stimulating properties, which can enhance the overall drinking experience and create a sense of comfort and relaxation.
In conclusion, cloves play a crucial role in the production of gin, adding depth, complexity, and warmth to the final product. Whether used in the form of whole cloves, clove oil, or a clove infusion, cloves are an essential botanical that contributes to the overall flavor profile and quality of gin. With their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and aromatic properties, cloves help to preserve the integrity of gin and create a unique and enjoyable drinking experience for consumers.
Pickering’s Original 1947 Gin
Recipe From Bombay 1947
The recipe that started it all was scrawled on a piece of paper dated 17 July 1947. Kept as a family secret handed through generations since the last days of the Raj, this recipe resurfaced only in 2013 after 66 years when Marcus Pickering & Matt Gammell built Summerhall Distillery & began distilling the first batches of Pickering’s Gin!
While our flagship ‘Red Top’ was adapted from this recipe to a more modern palate, our ‘Orange Top’ remains unchanged from this classic recipe!
Pickering’s Gin is engineered from 9 botanicals
Juniper
Juniper berries aren’t actually berries at all – they’re female pine cones that produce juniper plants. They are also the only spice to come from a conifer tree. Piney, resinous and slightly citrus, these berries give our beloved spirit its distinctive taste and aroma.
coriander
Coriander was one of the many plants cultivated in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and cultivation started around 2000 BC. The Ancient Greeks used coriander as an ingredient in perfume making. Fragrant, nutty and warm, alongside juniper it is a true staple of gin distillation.
cardamom
Known as the ‘Queen of the Spices’, cardamom is the world’s second most expensive spice (after saffron). Originating from India, it’s been consumed by us humans for over 4000 years! Spiced and intensely fragrant, cardamom is a majestic botanical for distilling gin.
angelica
Since the 10th century angelica has been used in herbal teas and to flavour liqueurs, vermouths and aquavits. Bitter, earthy and reminiscent of wormwood, angelica brings a nice dry finish to a distillation and is used to create the dry style gins that our modern palates have come to love.
fennel
Fennel is a flowering plant that actually belongs to the carrot family! People in India and Pakistan chew sugar-coated fennel seeds after a meal to freshen their breath. Anise-like in flavour and green on the nose, fennel plays an integral role in our Pickering’s gins.
anise
Anise is used to flavour many spirits such as absinthe, pastis and ouzo. In high concentration anise can sometimes produce the ‘ouzo effect’ – when diluted with water it becomes milky. We use it to bring a liquorice-like sweetness to our distillation.
lemon
Botanically speaking, lemons are actually berries! The British Navy has used lemon juice to prevent scurvy amongst sailors since the 1800s. Lemon juice has been used as an invisible ink from 600 CE all the way through to England’s Lemon Juice Spies during WWI.
lime
Limes are predecessors to lemons; they are the most acidic of the citrus fruits but have almost half the vitamin C of a lemon. Lime and lemon peel bring the bright, zesty top notes to Pickering’s Gin, giving us the beautiful characteristics of a clean, classic, juniper forward gin.
cloves
The clove tree is an evergreen from Indonesia and belongs to the myrtle family. Cloves today are used in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and Chinese five-spice powder. In our gin, they complement the sweet anise and fennel botanicals with intense aromatic notes.
Pickering’s Gin
Cloves
Anno Cranberry & Gin
Christmas in a bottle! Bring the sights, scents and celebrations of the festive Christmas season indoors with this limited edition Spiced Cranberry & Gin. Seasonally spiced with sweet orange, cassia and cloves to craft a delicious mulled gin! Make a festive fizz with your favourite Prosecco or try one of our Christmas cocktails.
Available in single 70cl bottles, cases and 5cl miniature bottles which make great wedding favours or stocking fillers.
ABV: 29% (Vegan and Vegetarian friendly).
Tasting notes
Appearance
Silky smooth with an invitingly moreish crimson aesthetic.
Taste
An immediately gratifying burst of fruitiness is pushed aside by zesty orange, before making way for the spiciness from the cloves.
Nose
Light, sweet hints of orange with occasional flurries of cinnamon and cloves.
Finish
The ultimate Christmas in a bottle experience! Fresh fruit flavour delightfully lingers on the palate whilst the cinnamon and cloves twinkle across your taste buds.
Botanicals
Juniper Berries
These bluish purple berries are the basis and therefore the signature of all gins, and the prominent flavour in traditional gins. Although it has a berry-like appearance due to its fleshy skin, the juniper berry is not actually a true berry but a female seed cone from a conifer. Juniper berries have a strong and assertive pine flavour; the flavour is mostly woody, but it can have some slightly citrus and floral tones to it.
Coriander Seeds
Orris Root
Fresh Cranberries
Anno Kent Dry Gin
Cloves
Sweet Orange
Cassia Bark
Anno Gin Kent
Cloves
Chai Spiced Gin 70cl Bottle
Discover the Chai Spiced Gin 70cl Bottle, a sustainable work of art marrying the spirit of Scotland and the essence of India. Crafted at Rutland Square in Edinburgh, where the Indian Consulate stands as a beacon of collaboration, our gin’s visual identity is as distinctive as its heritage. With a patented pattern inspired by the intricate designs of official documents and passports, each bottle is hand-printed, making it a standout piece in any collection.
Rutland Square Chai Spiced Gin uses 13 of the finest, ethically and sustainably sourced botanicals in every bottle. Handpicked from around the world, what makes their gin unique is that it is the world’s first Oolong Tea infused Chai Spiced gin. The Oolong White Tea gives their gin its sweet taste and a unique profile which produces a rich, yet clean and fresh gin.
Other botanicals include fresh juniper berries, zesty fresh lemon peel, caraway seeds, cubeb peppers, angelica roots, coriander seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, liquorice, star-anise, fresh sweet orange peel and cloves. Before stepping up to dance with first flush Oolong white tea and Organic Vetiver creating a rich, earthy, woody and smokey flavour.
ABV: 40%
Bottle Size: 70
Botanicals: Juniper, Oolong White Tea, Lemon Peel, Caraway Seeds, Cubeb Peppers, Angelica Root, Coriander Seeds, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Liquorice, Star-Anise, Orange Peel and Cloves
Rutland Square Gin
Cloves
