Ester The Strong

At 57% ABV, Ester The Strong takes a concentrated 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 direction without reducing its character to alcohol alone. Ester Spirits names juniper, Tasmanian pepperberry, cardamom, finger lime and macadamia among its botanicals. Together they bring pine, citrus and warm spice, with macadamia adding a rounder texture. It is an Australian gin with enough aromatic intensity to stand up in cocktails as well as in a simple long drink.

Citrus · Spicy · Floral · Navy Strength

The nose opens on juniper's clear pine-like aroma, then turns brighter with the tart citrus of finger limeFinger limeAn Australian citrus whose pulp forms tiny tart pearls that burst in the mouth.Glossary. Tasmanian pepperberryTasmanian pepperberryA wild Australian berry: fruity at first, then a slowly building heat. It can tint the gin pink.Glossary and cardamom provide a warmer, gently spicy note, while the producer also describes a floral dimension. Macadamia rounds the aromas with a fuller impression. As the gin rests, citrus remains distinct from spice rather than disappearing beneath the high strength.

Juniper stays firmly present on the palate, joined by a sharp, fresh edge from finger lime. Pepperberry and cardamom carry warmth through the middle and into a persistent finish. The rounder texture balances the dry, spicy character, and the strength gives the botanicals room to develop with a little dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary. A splash of water or melting ice can open the aromas gradually; in mixed drinks, the gin retains enough intensity to remain clear beside other ingredients.

For a gin and tonic, use a large balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary, solid ice, 5 cl Ester The Strong and about 12 cl Thomas Henry Dry Tonic. Its dry, measured sweetness leaves the citrus and spice in focus. Add a small piece of finger lime and one or two Tasmanian pepperberries as garnish, with a few more berries on a side plate. The same concentration suits an Army & Navy or a MartiniDry MartiniGin and a little dry vermouth, stirred over ice and served in a well-chilled stemmed glass, with an olive or a twist.Glossary, where the gin's aromatic force remains present beside the other ingredients.