Product description
Sir Edmond Gin, a creation of Niels Blij, debuted in 2016 and is the first gin to feature “Bourbon vanilla” in its formula (the vanilla comes from the French island of Reunion, which was formerly called Île Bourbon).
The production side is overseen by Herman Jansen Distillery based in Schiedam (Netherlands). The name of the gin is a nod to Edmond Albius, a slave from Reunion who, at the age of 12, invented the technique of hand-pollinating vanilla orchids using only a blade of grass and his thumb. It is still used today. In addition to the aforementioned vanilla, the gin recipe includes five botanicals from all corners of the world: juniper from Macedonia, angelica from Greenland, cardamom from Guatemala, ginger from Nigeria and cinnamon from China. They are distilled in two stills, after which the distillate is transferred to two tanks. In the third, the vanilla pods, cut into small pieces, are subjected to a 6 to 8 week maceration. After this period, the contents of the tanks are mixed and the full integration of the aromatic and flavor elements takes place over another week.
Sir Edmond is a smooth, creamy gin in which the sweetness of vanilla is perfectly balanced by notes of pine needles, cardamom, ginger and to a lesser extent cinnamon. It tastes best with Fever Tree Indian Tonic with the addition of fresh strawberry and a mint leaf.