Hendrick's Gin

Hendrick's Gin is the original gin of the Hendrick's range, produced in Scotland by William Grant & Sons. It was conceived as an alternative to the more juniper-dominant gin styles that shaped the category for much of the twentieth century. Its defining idea is the combination of a classic botanical base with the essences of rose and cucumber, an association that gives the gin its recognisable floral and fresh character.

Citrus · Dry · Floral · Herbal

The recipe combines eleven core botanicals: juniper berriesJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary, coriander seeds, angelica rootAngelicaThe root of a tall umbellifer, earthy and musky. After juniper and coriander it is the most common botanical: it binds the aromas and holds the finish.Glossary, orris rootOrris rootIris rhizome dried for years, then ground. Powdery and violet-like, it mainly works as a fixative that binds and lengthens the other aromas.Glossary, chamomile, elderflower, lemon peel, orange peel, caraway seeds, cubeb berries and yarrow root. These ingredients bring together dry juniper, citrus zest, soft floral notes, earthy roots and restrained spice. Rose and cucumber are added as essences after distillation, rather than being treated as simple garnish notes. Their role is central to the profile: rose broadens the floral side, while cucumber gives the gin a cool, green freshness.

Hendrick's is made from the marriage of two separate distillates. One is produced in a Bennett still, an older pot stillPot stillA traditional still, often copper, that distils in batches. It keeps more texture and character than a column.Glossary that creates a richer and more robust spirit. The other comes from a Carter-HeadCarter HeadA still fitted with a botanical basket in the vapour path: delicate plants are infused by the vapour instead of being boiled.Glossary still, whose basket-based vapour infusionVapour infusionBotanicals sit in a basket above the liquid, so only the alcohol vapour passes through them, for a lighter, fresher extraction.Glossary method produces a lighter and more delicate distillate. Blending the two allows Hendrick's to combine weight and aromatic lift before the rose and cucumber essences are added.

On the nose, Hendrick's Gin shows rose, cucumber and citrus first, followed by juniper, chamomile and elderflower.

The palate is smooth and dry rather than sweet. Juniper and coriander provide the core structure, orange and lemon peel add brightness, and the floral ingredients give the centre of the palate a softer, more perfumed character. Caraway and cubeb berries add a discreet spice, while angelica and orris root support a slightly earthy finish.

The finish is fresh, floral and lightly peppery, with cucumber leaving a clean impression after the citrus and juniper have receded. Hendrick's Gin is most closely associated with a gin and tonic served over plenty of ice and garnished with a slice of cucumber rather than the more conventional lemon or lime. Its profile also works well in a 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, a Southside or other cocktails where floral, citrus and green notes can remain visible.