Voyager Series ‘Phantom’ places Macedonian juniper, Marigold flower, Bay leaf, Cypress, Fennel, Nettle, Rose petals, Lavender, Orange blossom, Apricot at the centre of a 46% gin from Salcombe Gin. Salcombe Gin Voyager Series ‘Phantom’ is a 46% cask-finished gin created with Château Climens. Its botanical recipe includes juniper, marigold, bay leaf, cypress, fennel, nettle, rose, lavender, orange blossom and apricot. Maturation in former Sauternes casks adds oak, honeyed fruit and floral depth.

The character begins with juniper, then turns towards the ingredients that make this bottle distinct. Macedonian juniper, Marigold flower, Bay leaf, Cypress, Fennel, Nettle, Rose petals, Lavender, Orange blossom, Apricot are not a decorative list: they set the direction of the aroma and give the palate its particular contrast. The first nose is clear and lifted; as the gin opens, the fruit, herb, coast or cask notes become more present without taking juniper out of view.

On the palate, the higher-definition details arrive in sequence rather than all at once. The opening is dry and botanical, the middle carries the recipe’s fruit or herbal accent, and the finish returns to a firmer, more savoury line. Its 46% strength keeps that progression concentrated and makes measured dilution especially rewarding.

For a gin and tonic, use 5 cl over full ice with 10 cl of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water, then add orange peel and apricot. This restrained combination keeps the drink connected to the bottle rather than turning it into a generic fruit garnish. It also has the presence for a dry Martini or a more spirit-forward cocktail.

The appeal of Voyager Series ‘Phantom’ lies in that precision. The finish should leave a clear memory of juniper and the ingredients that give the recipe its point of view, whether that is a coastal note, a tea-like herb, a dark berry or a cask-led warmth.