Review

The Spectator Gin

Master of Malt, (ATOM Supplies Ltd.) Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, UK.

Master of Malt. 

ATOM Supplies Ltd. trading as Master of Malt, is one of the UK’s leading online liquor retailers. Established in 1985 they originally concentrated on Whisky but this soon grew to encompass a full range of spirits. Since the 2010’s they have undertaken joint projects to produce individual spirits, supported primarily by Ben Ellefsen, their Sales Director. Under his guidance, the success of Master of Malt own offerings have expanded to include a range of “Origin” Gins and the “Professor Cornelius Ampleforth” range of spirits.

This Gin originated as a special commission order, requested from an organization (see Name below) in 2012.

Little information is available but we understand this is a compound Gin, with juniper and undeclared spices being left to infuse in the spirit. Extracts of Earl Grey Tea and Lemon Balm have also been added.

The Gin is presented in a squat clear cylindrical bottle with rounded shoulders. It has a large white label with hand drawn botanicals in the background and “The Spectator” printed in large orange text and “Gin” in black, and finished with a black wax cap.

Compound Gin.

42.4% (85 Proof).

$$$$$ - $$$$$$. Not available in the US but may be purchased online from Master of Malt in the UK, be prepared to add another 50% for shipping. 

Unknown but includes: juniper berries, earl grey tea extract and lemon balm extract.

This is a commissioned Gin for the readers of a UK literary magazine called The Spectator, hence the name of the Gin. The Spectator is a weekly political/current affairs publication dating back to 1828 and the recipe for this Gin has been specifically designed to meet the style of the readers.

On the nose is citrus (lemon) and juniper with peppery spice and light floral perfume. On the palate this medium to full-bodied spirit has lemon and juniper with dry nutty/woody smoky earl grey tea and minty herbal notes. On the close there is a long dry finish with some sweet peppery spice notes.

This is a relatively unusual tasting Gin, it has some classic elements to it but they are different e.g. the lemon citrus is clearly lemon balm, creating a “furry” taste rather than the usual sharp and acidic feel one expects. This makes it an acquired taste although when taken in a Gin & Tonic or Martini more of the traditional notes come through e.g. the lemon becomes sharper. For summer time cold tea drinkers we suspect this will be a welcome alternative G&T, being more to their palate.

Unknown.