Little Biddy Gin Rose Gold

Caramelised limes from Karamea, on the northern West Coast, sit at the heart of Little Biddy Rose Gold. Reefton Distilling Co. pairs this Tahitian lime variety, which it chose for its exceptionally crisp and uplifting character, with hibiscus and two native forest plants, kahikatea and toatoa, and bottles the gin at 43% ABV. It comes in an elegant gift box, as a gin made to be shared. Its flavours are delicate rather than bold.

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

The distillery describes caramelised lime unfolding into delicate layers of honeydew melon, lemon drop sweets and hibiscus. The lime gives a fresh top note with both sweetness and acidity, and dried hibiscus, the deep red tropical flower, adds a slightly tart floral note. Toatoa, the mountain celery pine, contributes leafy citrus and a tannic edge before turning to juniper, while kahikatea, a lowland conifer, adds a resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary depth.

The palate is bright, light and crisp, with each sip revealing a little more. Juniper keeps the sweeter fruit in a gin frame, and the finish returns to citrus. Caramelising the lime softens its acidity and adds a light toffee note.

Like the rest of the range, Rose Gold honours Little Biddy, a Reefton legend and gold prospector, four feet tall and fond of gin, who fossicked in the rainforest around the distillery. Its delicate fruit suits a GimletGimletGin with lime cordial or sweetened lime juice, served well chilled without ice. It is said to come from the Royal Navy, as a guard against scurvy.Glossary or a French 75French 75Gin, lemon juice and sugar, topped with champagne. It is named after the French 75 mm field gun of the First World War.Glossary, where the caramelised lime and sparkling wine meet. A Gin Rickey with soda and fresh lime keeps it light. Neat and chilled, the melon note is easiest to find.

For the long drink, pour 4 cl of Little Biddy Gin Rose Gold into 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 filled with ice. Add 10 cl of Double Dutch Elderflower Tonic and stir once. Garnish with one dried hibiscus flower and a thin fresh lime wheel, which repeat the gin's clearest notes.