Lušt tomatoes, grown in Prekmurje in north-eastern Slovenia with geothermal warmth near the Mura river, are considered among the most flavourful tomatoes around, and they inspired this London Dry Gin from Heaven & Hell. The Kiss of Immortality distillery in Velika Polana works the tomatoes at the peak of their ripeness.

The tomatoes are macerated, then distilled by the traditional London Dry method in copper, in a pot still without a column. The producer counts 47 different, 100% natural botanicals in the distillation, a number that matches the 47% ABV of the bottle, and retailers name lemon balm, pepper, paprika and spiced salt among them. No sugar is added, and the gin is released in a limited series, filled by hand into 700 ml bottles. Retailers add that it is neither chill-filtered nor coloured, and the same house also makes the Gold 47 Premium London Dry Gin.

The producer describes a sweet, ripe tomato character with a gentle fruity note and a slight earthy undertone. The palate is rounded and slightly salty, which makes the gin exceptionally refreshing, and the balance keeps freshness and depth together without letting the tomato take over. Lemon balm adds a green, lemony lift, while pepper and paprika bring a savoury warmth that recalls a summer salad more than a sweet fruit gin.

Heaven & Hell recommends pairing it with Fever-Tree tonic. An Indian tonic works well: its bitterness frames the savoury notes and its bubbles keep the salty edge lively. A halved cherry tomato and a few cracked black peppercorns repeat the main flavours. At 47%, the gin also has the strength for a savoury Martini or a Red Snapper, the gin version of the Bloody Mary.