Arbutus Forest Dweller Gin

Forest Dweller begins with Arbutus Distillery's Empiric Gin and rests on grand fir tips, pine and spruce. The 40% ABV gin brings the house base into contact with three conifers, giving this Canadian bottling a woodland character while retaining the botanical structure of Empiric. The base is made with juniper, coriander, hops, rosemary, lavender and lemon verbena; the added forest plants are the point of difference here.

Citrus · Woody · Floral · Herbal

JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary and coriander keep the first taste recognisably gin-like, while the conifer rest brings a resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary, green impression. Pine and spruce suggest fresh needles rather than smoke or barrel spice. Rosemary and hops add a dry herbal edge, and lavender and lemon verbena soften the sharper notes with floral and citrus detail.

The palate is brisk and aromatic, with the fir and evergreen character lingering after the brighter elements have passed.

Grand fir, pine and spruce meet the base during a resting stage, adding resinous green notes without the oak influence of barrel ageing. Empiric supplies the established base, and Forest Dweller changes its direction through those conifers. Made in Nanaimo, the gin links the distillery's botanical style to the forests of Vancouver Island without needing a generic "forest" flavour claim. At 40% ABV, the bottling keeps the conifer notes in balance with the softer florals from Empiric. The original base remains recognisable after the forest notes appear, giving the gin a clear progression from juniper and herbs to resinous evergreen.

Try 4.5 cl with 10 cl London Essence Grapefruit & Rosemary Tonic over clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary. The tonic's citrus and herbal notes sit naturally beside the juniper and evergreen aromas. Add a short rosemary sprig and a grapefruit twistTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary to the drink, then set matching garnishes beside the glass. One gentle stir releases the citrus oils while leaving the conifer character distinct.