Review

Juniper Green
Organic Sloe Gin

Thames Distillery, The Organic Spirits Co. (London & Scottish International Ltd, Bramley, Surrey, UK.), Clapham, London, England, UK. Imported via Altitude Spirits Inc., Boulder, Colorado, USA.

Juniper Green.

Thames Distillery is run by Charles Maxwell who is the 8th generation of the family (founders of the Finsbury Distillery) who have been producing Gin since 1700 – making them the oldest unbroken lineage in Gin distillation.

London & Scottish was established in 1993. Their Juniper Green Organic Gin was Launched in 2000 - the world’s first organic London Dry Gin – and this Sloe Gin version was launched in 2009.

The company uses two very small pot stills called Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, the spirit being distilled from rye grain grown without artificial chemicals fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or pesticides and is 100% gluten free. Organic sloeberries from Romania are then steeped in this Gin across winter for the resultant Sloe Gin – this 6-month period is longer than the average 4 months used by other producers. Presented in a clear cylindrical bottle, which displays its deep red color.

Flavored Gin - Sloe.

26% (52 Proof).

$$$$ - $$$$$. Not available in the USA, try Master of Malt in the UK but prepare to pay at least 60% extra to cover shipping.

It uses only 5 botanicals: angelica root, coriander, juniper berries, savory and sloeberries.

The name tells the full story of its environmentally friendly values and the main botanical ingredient sloeberries.

On the nose is a deep red fruit aroma (sloe) with gin notes (juniper, citrus and spice). On the palate this semi-sweet but dry spirit has deep red fruit flavor (sloe) with faint juniper, citrus and spice. The finish is warm, tart and peppery.

This is a very pleasant to drink by itself and is a well balanced offering by The Organic Spirits Co. This is a favorite of ours and is very similar to Bramley & Gage Organic Sloe Gin - not surprising as it is made with the same Gin base. Whilst we prefer the one by Bramley & Gage it is so close we would be equally pleased to have a bottle (or two) of either. This makes our top 10 Sloe Gins and is highly recommended.

Bronze medal, Sloe Gin Awards, 2011.

Silver Medal, International Spirits Challenge, 2009.

Carries a warrant from the Prince of Wales, which is only bestowed on products meeting a strict code of environmental practice and is used by the Prince’s household.