Summer bow hunting for roe deer in the forests of Central Jutland inspired The Bowhunter, a limited seasonal gin from Halle Smedegaard Distillery in Brædstrup, Denmark. The name reflects the hunter's silent movement through untouched woodland, guided by instinct and tradition, and the distillery describes the gin as capturing the soul of the forest in every drop.

Sweet cicely is its signature botanical. This tall, feathery herb of the carrot family grows wild in northern Europe, and its leaves and seeds carry a sweet aniseed flavour; in the gin it adds a subtle aniseed note and a gentle natural sweetness. It is combined with classic London Dry botanicals, so juniper keeps the frame firm while the herb brings a Nordic, woodland character. In northern European kitchens, sweet cicely has long been used to soften tart fruit such as rhubarb.

The Bowhunter is handcrafted in small batches and bottled at 47% ABV in 500 ml bottles. The profile is described as crisp, smooth and balanced, bold yet refined, with delicate anise undertones and a fresh elegance. The higher strength carries the herb well: its aromas stay defined when the gin is chilled or diluted, and the soft sweetness of the cicely rounds the alcohol on the palate.

As a seasonal edition, it may only be available for a short time. The recommended pairing is Fever-Tree's Mediterranean tonic, whose softer bitterness and herbal notes let the aniseed side of the cicely show. Add plenty of ice and a wide ribbon of lemon zest to lift the aroma, or taste the gin neat first to find the woodland herb before the tonic arrives.