70cl * 43% ABV * Surrey Hills, England
Silent Pool Distillers, in their quest to create the world’s most distinctive gin, have forged a community partnership with Bhutanese foragers high in the Himalayan mountains. At the otherworldly landscape after 4,000m, the only people privy to the location and biorhythms of the legendary Black Juniper are these resident foragers. They make the incredible journey to the mountain tops where the plant thrives to collect the berries by hand. Sustainability is central to the foraging process, and they optimise the crop by leaving some berries on the bushes to encourage future growth of the scarce black juniper.
As a Buddhist country, the pursuit of happiness is rooted in celebrating and protecting nature and the environment and Bhutan is the only country in the world that is carbon negative, absorbing more carbon than it emits. The quality of the air and altitude deliver the purest growing conditions for the elusive black juniper berries. The result is juniper berries with the most powerful and aromatic essential oils in the world.
Inspired by the flavours and aromas of the Himalayan Puja ritual, fragrant smoke, juniper and tea elements associated with the ceremony have all been represented in the Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin blend. On the nose delicate incense with a subtle smoke are underpinned with pine-rich juniper and warming spice. There is a silky mouth feel and initially bold juniper subsides into perfumed agarwood. A spiced pepper foundation is complemented by distinctive teas with delicate caramel notes, followed by a long and complex, slightly smoky finish.
Designed to be enjoyed sipped over ice and definitely smooth enough for a Martini.