Junipalooza 2016

​We’re rather keen on gin here, this is perhaps an understatement, like saying ducks like wet bread. Needless to say if people wanted to send a quiet Sunday morning throwing gin and tonics at me at their local pond I will flap along in contentment, beware the swans though, they can get rowdy.

So when I heard there was going to be a gin festival in London I bought my tickets with little thought. The venue was familiar to me, having already attended Tobacco Docks for the first Meatopia a few years back. It’s a nice spacious venue, with its old East end charm lending itself well to gin.
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Some of the gins you would have heard of, for some it was the first time they had set foot in the UK. Indeed there was a great deal of focus and encouragement from our overseas brother to participate. I tried about 18 different gins, I probably could have continued but by that point I must say I was going a little taste blind. To those I didn’t get round to trying I apologise, but I have made notes of the ones I will look up in future.

Rather than give you a blow by blow account of all the gins I shall just highlight those that where interesting or stood out from the crowd here.

​Bertha’s Revenge

An Irish gin made from milk whey.  No way you say – yes whey. The whey gives a sweet acidity which is underpinned by the heavy cardamom and spice flavours.

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​Elephant Gin

A company that donates a portion of it's profits to support Elephants in Africa is certainly something to admire. The gin itself is a classic recipe with a few African botanical twists such as wormwood, lion’s tail and devil’s claw. To drink it is sweet and piney.

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Hope on Hopkins

A South African distillery who made their UK debut at Junipalooza ‘16. Their Mediterranean style gin is grape based and brings to mind grappa and sweet olives. Whilst it hasn't landed on our shores permanently yet, it's certainly one to look out for in the future.

You can find out more about them here - hopeonhopkins.co.za/

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Martin Miller’s
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A classic English gin that is double processed to give a more refined flavour. Citrus botanicals are distilled separately from more earthy ones and combined later by their experts.

​The taste is classic juniper and is very refreshing on the palate.

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Herno
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A Swedish company that’s kicking up a storm at the moment. The Old Tom gin takes inspiration from the outlawed spirits of 18th Britain.

​The gin is sweet on the nose and the tongue, with a hint of honey.

That, in brief, was my experiences at Junipalooza - roll on 2017.

​The Silverfox