Scapegrace Gold

A 57% Navy StrengthNavy StrengthGin bottled at 57% ABV or more. Royal Navy lore holds that at this strength, gunpowder soaked in gin would still ignite.GlossarySee Navy Strength gins gin composed of thirteen botanicals. Scapegrace Gold is bottled at 57% ABV.

Citrus · Dry · Spicy · Navy Strength

Lemon, orange and mandarin layer over juniper, spice and earthy roots. Juniper keeps the recipe grounded and gives the opening a clear, dry spine.

The botanical list gives the gin its movement from the first aroma through the palate and into the finish. Serve it cold enough for the individual notes to remain distinct, not blurred by sweetness or excessive dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary.

For the Perfect ServePerfect serveThe way the producer recommends serving the gin (glass, tonic, ratio, garnish) to show it at its best.Glossary, pour 5 cl over plenty of clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary, add 10 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic WaterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary, then finish with a mandarin twist and coriander seeds. Keep the garnish restrained so it supports the gin rather than replacing it.

The documented botanicals - JUNIPER BERRIESJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary, Lemon peel, Orange peel, Mandarin, CORIANDER SEEDS, cardamom, nutmeg, ANGELICA ROOT, LICORICE ROOT, ORRIS ROOT, cloves, cinnamon, Cassia - provide a useful tasting route. Start with the aromatic lift, then let the juniper and the drier ingredients take their place as the ice begins to melt. This approach gives the glass more detail than a fast first sip and keeps the character of Scapegrace Gold clear from beginning to end.

A careful serve matters here. Use sound, full cubes of ice, a well-chilled tonic and no more garnish than the recipe needs. Taste once before topping up: the right balance should leave the gin visible, with freshness in the middle and a clean, composed finish. It is a small adjustment, but it makes the difference between a generic long drink and one that reflects the bottle.