Review

Iceberg Gin

David Sacks and David Hood of Canadian Iceberg Vodka Corporation (CIVC), St. Johns, Newfoundland and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Distributed in the USA by Admiral Imports (US), Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

Canadian Iceberg Vodka Corporation.

Established in 1994, their main spirit production is Vodka but they do have a few other spirits, including this Gin launched in 2006.

Gluten free sweet corn is triple distilled with iceberg water (see “Name: below) to produce the base spirit. The clear bottles have green colored label and top and are rectangular with novel “chiselled” edges (to make it look and feel like an iceberg) in its construction - made by Salbro Bottles Inc., Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. Bottling is undertaken on behalf of CIVC, by Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$$ - $$$. Limited availability in the USA although it can be shipped from the UK (increasing the price by around 100%) via The Whiskey Exchange.

Botanicals include: angelica root, coriander, juniper berries, sweet orange peel, orris root and pepper.

CVIC have a truly world first, unique source of water for its spirits – Icebergs – hence the name. Naturally occurring 1 - 5 tonne Growlers or “Bergie Bits” (chunks of icebergs) are harvested from the NE coastal sea of Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) and brought back to melt and thus capture their pristine water. Whilst this might be considered extreme lengths to go to, bear in mind that since they cleave from 12,000 year-old glaciers, very few places on Earth has this quality of water (at least 7,000 times purer than tap water). To us, this all makes perfect sense, as we believe good water helps to make good spirit.

On the nose are creamy juniper, pine and citrus. The palate discerns some sweetness with juniper, citrus and herbal notes, followed with a soft spicy finish. Clearly they have used their nice, smooth Vodka base to make this mellow Gin, as the quality shines through.

This is a very smooth, mild Gin and is good in a Gin & Tonic and a dry Martini - because of its lightness one must be careful not to over power it when making other mixed drinks. It is a good Gin for new comers to the spirit – like London Hill Gin, this is a good, next-step progression from Bafferts or Vedrich.

For amusement, why not add iceberg and titanic shaped ice cubes to your drink!

83 Points, Beverage Testing Institute.