Mermaid 10th Anniversary Gin is a stronger and more textured anniversary version of the Isle of Wight Distillery’s signature gin. It keeps the coastal idea of Mermaid, but adds extra rock samphire and fig leaf, with juniper, elderflower, lemon zest, hops, grains of paradise, angelica, orris and liquorice in support.

The nose keeps the familiar lemon, juniper and green coastal note, then the fig leaf adds a warmer leafy aroma that can suggest fig skin, hay and a soft creamy edge. In the mouth, the higher strength gives the botanicals more presence. Rock samphire keeps the green saline touch, elderflower softens the middle, and peppery spice gives the finish a dry lift.

This edition should feel broader than the standard Mermaid Gin, not simply stronger. It is well suited to a careful tonic serve, soda highball or a minimal drink over ice where fig leaf and coastal herbs can stay visible. A heavy garnish would make the profile harder to read.

For the Perfect Serve, a light tonic with lemon is the safest route. If fig leaf is available, a very small piece can echo the anniversary recipe, but lemon alone is enough to keep the glass fresh and balanced. The import-ready version uses 12 cl of Fever-Tree Naturally Light Tonic Water, with lemon twist, fig leaf.

The anniversary version deserves a slower tasting than the standard bottle. The fig leaf and extra strength add texture, so the mixer should be lighter and the garnish more restrained. Otherwise the details that justify the edition disappear.

The point of the bottle is not only celebration. It gives regular Mermaid drinkers a more concentrated version of the same coastal idea, with enough extra texture to justify a separate tasting note.