Shake the bottle before pouring. Honey goes into this gin unprocessed, and what settles at the bottom is natural sediment from the beeswax rather than a fault, so the instruction is part of the product rather than an apology for it. Beekeepers Olivier Roels and Michael Van Lent make it in Aalst, distilled with Stokerij De Moor, at 46%.

Fourteen botanicals go in before the honey does, and the recipe was built so that the honey would not have to carry the gin. Juniper stays at the front throughout. Lemon peel brings the citrus lift and coriander seed reinforces the freshness beside it. Ginger, cubeb berries, cardamom, cinnamon and grains of paradise draw a warm peppery line through the middle, five spices between them and none of them dominant. Rosemary and lavender blossom add a herbal-floral layer above that, and angelica and orris root keep the whole thing dry and structured underneath. Liquorice root softens the close and works with the honey to give roundness without erasing the base.

The honey arrives afterwards, from local urban beekeepers, and it gives the spirit its golden colour as well as its texture.

The nose opens on juniper, citrus and a delicate honeyed note before the herbs and gentle spice appear. On the palate the honey gives texture first, then lemon peel and coriander tighten the middle, then ginger and cubeb bring a more energetic finish, with rosemary and lavender leaving a clean aromatic echo. Smooth without being flat, and at 46% it stays clear in a long drink.

Slightly chilled and neat when the honey is the point. Otherwise a premium Indian tonic, ice in quantity, a few lightly crushed juniper berries and a rosemary sprig, which keeps the honey in balance and lets the spiced finish stay visible.