Mews Gin uses the vapour distillation method to make its gin. This is more time consuming and costly than some other methods of gin distillation but we believe produces a lighter, more subtle taste, which makes the extra effort worth while. For more information click here.
Mews Gin is infused from a unique combination of 11 different botanicals which combine to create the smooth and subtle taste of our gin.
Botanicals
Juniper
The essential botanical ingredient of gin. Our Juniper berries are sourced from Croatia. The Juniper berry has been reported to have been used in remedies for rheumatism and arthritis.
Coriander
The seeds of the coriander plant have a lemony citrus flavour; warm, nutty, spicy, and orange-flavoured.
Liquorice Root
The liquorice root provides a subtle sweetness to the gin, but also helps blend and bind the flavours of the gin together.
Angelica
The seeds of the Angelica plant are aromatic and slightly bitter in taste. In the past Angelica has been thought of as a good remedy for colds, coughs, pleurisy, wind, colic, and rheumatism.
Pink Peppercorn
Pink Peppercorn is grown primarily in Brazil and adds an element of sweetness and spice to our gin and helps produce the smooth taste and finish that makes Mews Gin distinctive.
Lavender
Lavender has a strong nose and flavour and is well know for its potential benefits as an antiseptic and also anti stress medicine. We have used lavender as it reflects the countryside (Surrey Hills) heritage of our gin. It is used very sparingly as it can overpower many other flavours.
Lemon
Lemon and orange peel add the key citrus flavours and assist in developing the floral notes of the botanicals without becoming too sharp.
Orange
Lemon and orange peel add the key citrus flavours and assist in developing the floral notes of the botanicals without becoming too sharp.
Orris
Orris root powder derives from the ornamental garden flower known as Iris. Orris root is popular in love charms and amulets designed to attract the opposite sex.
We use Orris Root though, solely to give a fragrant note to our gin and help bind the other botanicals together.
Cubeb
The Cubeb berry (sometimes called the Java pepper) is a small, red-brown irregular seed of a cardamom-like plant.
Cassia
Cassia is an aromatic bark, very close to cinnamon and with similar properties.
Serving suggestions
Our gin is light and full of flavour and as such can be enjoyed as a martini as well as with tonic.
We would suggest mixing with a quality tonic water, any of the usual major brands, but would steer clear of a strong, full flavour tonic that will mask the subtle taste of our gin.
We would recommend adding a small wedge of lime, not lemon, or a slice of cucumber but beware, cucumber has a surprisingly strong taste. If you fancy something more exotic try Mews Gin with some blueberries on a cocktail stick and a dash of bitters. A beautiful and refreshing drink and potentially part of your "five a day"!
Above all, please enjoy Mews Gin in a manner that suits you!
Gin Distillation Process
There is sometimes confusion as to how gin is made, the different processes involved and how gins differ from each other. Here's our explanation and why we believe Mews Gin is a unique and distinctive boutique gin.
There are three main methods of gin distillation:
"Two shot" gin where a strong gin concentrate is produced by distilling a mix of botanicals and diluting to taste with additional neutral spirit (essentially vodka / ethanol). This allows high volumes to be produced but the gin can sometimes be harsh. Much of the commercial gin is made in this way.
"One shot" gin where the botanicals are macerated in the pot still over night (or longer) before distillation and no further alcohol is added, producing a higher quality gin. Many of the independents produce gin this way.
Vapour distillation. The botanicals are placed in the Gin Head above the pot still and do not come in direct contact with the spirit. The flavour comes from the alcohol vapours picking up the tastes from the botanicals as they are heated and pass through on their way to the condenser.
Mews Gin uses the vapour distillation method which is more time consuming and costly but produces a lighter, more subtle taste. Only a few companies take the time to produce a gin in this way.
We think its worth it.