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GauGin Beach is a Belgian London Dry Gin created as the fresher, summer-oriented expression in the three-bottle GauGin range, alongside GauGin Classic and GauGin Mountain. According to the brand, the development of the series started with GauGin Classic, which took 23 months of work, followed by a further 12 months to refine the recipes for Beach and Mountain. GauGin Beach is produced in small batches and bottled at 46 percent ABV, with a clear focus on brightness, Mediterranean citrus and aromatic herbs.

The gin is distilled in an artisanal, family-run distillery in Belgium, in limited batches often described as around 4,000 bottles. As a London Dry Gin, all of its character comes from the distillation of botanicals without added flavourings afterwards. The aromatic profile is built around a backbone of juniper berries combined with orange and lemon, which provide the vivid citrus notes that define the “Beach” identity, supported by wild rosemary, wild sage, wild thyme and lavender.

On the nose, GauGin Beach opens with fresh lemon and sweet orange zest, underpinned by classic juniper and a bouquet of Mediterranean herbs. Rosemary and wild thyme bring a resinous and slightly savoury edge, while lavender adds a gentle floral lift. On the palate, the gin is clean and citrus-driven, with juniper and lemon to the fore, followed by layers of aromatic herbs and a subtle floral note that keeps the profile both refreshing and structured. The texture is dry and crisp, in line with the London Dry style, with no obvious sweetness.

The finish is medium to long, marked by lingering lemon peel, hints of orange, herbal notes from wild sage and rosemary, and a light, cooling impression from the thyme and lavender. GauGin Beach is particularly suited to a classic gin and tonic with a neutral tonic water and plenty of ice, where its citrus and herbal character can be highlighted with simple garnishes such as a slice of lemon and a small sprig of rosemary or thyme. It also works well in long, refreshing cocktails that emphasise citrus and herbal freshness, making it a natural choice for warm-weather serves and Mediterranean-inspired drinks.

GauGin Classic is a Belgian London Dry Gin created after 23 months of development, with the ambition of uniting traditional gin craft and Mediterranean-inspired aromas. Its profile is built around juniper berries complemented by citrus notes and aromatic herbs typical of southern regions. The result is a fresh and balanced gin where bright citrus tones meet subtle herbal and floral nuances, offering a refined and expressive character at 46 percent ABV. GauGin Classic was conceived as the first expression of a three-gin range, embodying the brand’s vision of a modern yet tradition-rooted interpretation of the London Dry style. It is versatile in cocktails and well suited for a classic gin and tonic, where its citrus and herbal notes can be highlighted with simple, clean garnishes.

Blackbird Gin, often presented as The Blackbird's Gin, is produced by Distillerie de Namur in Wallonia and is closely linked to the strawberry-growing tradition of Wépion near Namur. It is described by the producer and retailers as a 100 percent Belgian gin made with real Wépion strawberries, without added colourings, sugars or artificial flavourings. Bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume in 50 cl format, it positions itself as a naturally coloured, fruit-accented gin that highlights local ingredients and regional know-how.

The gin is built on a classic grain spirit base and undergoes a double distillation. The first distillation takes place in a copper pot still, after which the spirit is redistilled in a rectification column made entirely of copper. This two-step process is designed to obtain a clean and precise spirit while preserving the character of the botanicals. After distillation, real Wépion strawberries are macerated in the gin, releasing their colour, natural fructose and aromatic compounds into the spirit, which explains the soft, natural pink hue without the need for added colouring.

The botanical bill combines traditional gin ingredients with a distinct fruity and floral twist. The bouquet described by the producer includes juniper berries, bergamot, lemon peel, cardamom, lavender and angelica, to which the macerated Wépion strawberries are added. Juniper and angelica provide the classic gin structure, bergamot and lemon peel bring bright citrus notes, cardamom contributes a gentle spice, lavender adds a floral lift, and the strawberries introduce a clear red-fruit dimension.

On the nose, Blackbird Gin offers an aromatic and naturally floral bouquet, with juniper and citrus first, followed by notes of sweet strawberry, light bergamot and hints of lavender. The impression is that of a fresh, slightly gourmand gin rather than a heavily sweetened flavoured spirit. On the palate, the attack is relatively dry for a fruit-led gin, with juniper, lemon peel and bergamot giving direction before the strawberry character unfolds. The strawberry is present but controlled, bringing a soft red-fruit note rather than a candy-like flavour, while cardamom and angelica support the structure with discreet spice and herbal depth.

The finish is medium to long, with lingering notes of berries, citrus zest and a light floral character, and remains clean thanks to the absence of added sugar. The natural maceration of strawberries leaves a gentle fruit persistence without heaviness. Blackbird Gin is commonly recommended as a gin and tonic with a neutral tonic water, served over plenty of ice, garnished with a fresh or frozen strawberry and optionally a few basil or mint leaves to underline the fresh and herbal side of the gin. It can also be enjoyed well chilled and neat as a digestif, where the balance between juniper, citrus, floral notes and the Wépion strawberry can be appreciated in a more concentrated form.