Earp Truffle Gin

Fresh black truffle from Truffle Mad, a family farm in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is the base of this gin, made by Earp Distilling Co. with Redwood Distillery. Kangaroo Island honey and Tasmanian mountain pepper join it, along with several spices the producers do not name. Earp bottles it at 42% ABV in a 500 ml bottle.

Citrus · Spicy · Earthy

Truffle is unmistakable from the first sniff, with an earthy, mushroom-like depth that Earp describes as strongly truffle-led. Zesty citrus lifts the nose and keeps it from feeling heavy.

On the palate, the honey rounds the texture and softens the savoury edge, while mountain pepper builds a slow, gentle heat. JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary stays in the background as a dry frame, and the finish is long, earthy and slightly peppery. It is a savoury gin first, much closer to the kitchen than to the fruit bowl, and it rewards a slow pour. Mountain pepper, the dried berry of a Tasmanian shrub, has a slow, numbing heat that suits the earthy truffle.

Earp suggests sipping it neat over ice or making a Muddy 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 with Truffle Mad's recipe, a dry, savoury drink that leans into the truffle. Over ice, 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 softens the mushroom note and lets the citrus and honey show. It also suits food: a glass beside a cheese board or a mushroom dish makes the most of its earthy side. Keep the tonic modest, as too much sweetness would cover the truffle.

For a long drink, 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 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 and add 9 cl of chilled Fentimans Traditional Tonic Water. Add a small fresh thyme sprig to the drink, and set a thin lemon peel and one black truffle shaving on a small plate beside the glass. The bitter tonic balances the honey, the thyme suits the earthy notes, and the lemon and truffle on the side can be added to taste.