Watershed Bourbon Barrel Aged Four Peel Gin

Watershed Bourbon Barrel AgedBarrel-aged ginGin rested for a while in wooden casks. It picks up a golden colour and notes of vanilla, spice or the wine that filled the cask before.GlossarySee Barrel-aged gin gins Four Peel Gin begins with the distillery's citrus-led recipe and rests in Watershed bourbon barrels. Bottled at 44% ABV, it retains the original gin's bright citrus character while gaining aromas of orange rind, cinnamon and oak. Watershed also describes smoother vanilla and caramel highlights from the barrel, giving this version a warmer register than the unaged Four Peel.

Citrus · Woody · Vanilla

Orange peel leads on the nose, joined by the dry, toasted scent of oak. A little cinnamon lifts the aroma without turning it into a heavily spiced spirit.

On the palate, the familiar citrus remains present, but the barrel rounds its edges: orange feels fuller, while vanilla and caramel bring a soft, mellow sweetness. The gin's juniper and the drier citrus notes keep the sip from becoming syrupy. Oak and baking spice carry into a warm finish, with the 44% strength providing structure rather than heat for its own sake.

For the Perfect ServePerfect serveThe way the producer recommends serving the gin (glass, tonic, ratio, garnish) to show it at its best.Glossary, the distillery's own Bourbon Barrel Gin Old Fashioned is the natural choice: stir 6 cl of gin with 1.5 cl of simple syrup and four dashes of orange bittersBittersHighly concentrated bitters (Angostura, orange…), added in dashes to season a cocktail.Glossary over ice, then strain over a large ice cubeLarge iceOne large block melts far more slowly than several small cubes, so the drink stays cold without watering down.Glossary in a rocks glassRocks glassA short, heavy glass (tumbler) for a spirit over a large ice cube or a short cocktail.Glossary. Express a broad orange peel over the drink and place it in the glass. This keeps the original citrus visible while allowing the oak, vanilla and caramel to remain in front. No tonic is needed.

The barrel influence makes this gin comfortable in whiskey-style cocktails as well as in a restrained G&T. Watershed recommends orange with the barrel-aged version, while lemon and lime suit the original Four Peel more closely. Taste it over ice before mixing to see how the oak and citrus develop as the drink opens. This is a measured meeting of gin botanicals and bourbon-barrel character, not a reason to cover the spirit with a heavily flavoured mixer.