Mandarin leads the flavour of Hrafn Valhalla, a Scottish London Dry Gin bottled at 49% ABV. Raven Spirits gives it a longer distillation than the house's standard process, describing the result as smooth and finely balanced. The higher strength provides room for the citrus and spice to remain clear in a long drink or a spirit-forward cocktail.

Citrus · Spicy · Herbal

Juniper opens the nose, then gives way to spiced mandarin. The palate begins with herbaceous juniper and develops into warming spices and pepper, before the mandarin grows more pronounced. Hrafn describes the texture as creamy and smooth; the finish lingers with citrus and a light prickling of spice. The mandarin is the thread that holds the sequence together, rather than a sweet note added after distillation.

The botanicals are juniper, fresh mandarin peel, coriander seeds, cassia bark, cubeb pepper, angelica root and orris root. Hrafn distils Valhalla for three times longer than a standard gin, a slow run that draws more of the oils from the peel and spices, and nothing is added after distillation. Hrafn means raven in Old Norse, and the range draws on Norse mythology: Valhalla is the hall where Odin welcomed fallen warriors. Odin's two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, flew over the world each day to bring him news. Like the rest of the range, it is made by Raven Spirits in Scotland.

Hrafn recommends a Gin & Sonic made with equal parts Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Tonic Water and soda, finished with a lemon twist. For a single glass, use 4 cl gin, 5 cl tonic and 5 cl soda over ice. Twist the lemon peel over the drink first, so its oils settle on the surface, then drop it in. The split mixer keeps the serve lively but lighter than a full tonic pour, while the lemon draws out the mandarin and the juniper remains present.