Little Lon Ginger Mick Gin

Ginger Mick takes its name from the larrikin hero of C.J. Dennis's verse, a rough, likeable character whom Little Lon Distilling Co. adopts as a regular of Victorian-era Little Lon, the old Little Lonsdale Street quarter of Melbourne where the distillery now stands. The gin is made with fresh ginger, juniper and a blend of citrus that includes orange and ruby grapefruit. It is bottled at 42% ABV in a 500 ml bottle.

Citrus · Spicy

Bright, crisp citrus opens the nose, led by the sweet-and-sour character of ruby grapefruit, with orange behind it.

The palate is rounded and slightly viscous, which gives the fruit some weight. JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary keeps a dry line through the middle, and the ginger arrives late, as a lingering warmth on the back palate rather than a sharp heat at the start. That order, citrus first and ginger last, is what defines the gin. It keeps the fruit fresh and makes the finish feel warm and clean, without any added sweetness. Little Lon does not break the citrus blend down any further, and orange and grapefruit are the notes that lead.

Little Lon suggests it neat, on the rocks, with a Mediterranean-style tonic, in a NegroniNegroniAn Italian cocktail of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and red bitter (Campari), served over ice with orange peel. Born in Florence in 1919.Glossary or in the Gintarito, a gin version of the Margarita. In a Negroni, the ginger holds its own against the bitter aperitif, while the Gintarito plays up the grapefruit and lime. Over ice, the viscous texture and the late ginger show most clearly. A grapefruit wedge in a plain G&T is enough to show the opening.

For the G&T, pour 4 cl over clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary in a copa 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, add 10 cl of East Imperial Yuzu Tonic and stir gently once. Place a ruby grapefruit wedge and a fresh ginger slice in the glass, then arrange matching pieces on a small side plate beside it. The yuzu adds a sharp citrus note, the grapefruit matches the gin's opening, and the ginger slice echoes its finish.