Copperhead Gin is a fairly new gin, and I say that in the context of all the other liquors we talk about with centuries or at the very least, decades of history. This charmingly-bottled Belgian gin actually came to fruition not too long ago in the year 2014.
From the brilliant mind of pharmacist-entrepreneur, Yvan Vindevogel, Copperhead Gin was the product of his fascination with gin’s historical connection to medicine.
The Notorious Alchemist’s Recipe
Legend has it that Yvan stumbled upon a gin recipe made by a very talented alchemist from centuries back simply referred to as ‘Mr Copperhead‘ whose goal was to create something called ‘the elixir of life‘.
Unfortunately, nobody has found any evidence of the elusive and allegedly ‘notorious’ alchemist’s existence to date… aside from the recipe he left behind.
Mysterious backstory aside, Copperhead Gin has grown to be a very well-respected gin even with only 6 years of being on the market. And guess what? We’ve got em too! We’re not called The Good Stuff for nothing folks. Without further ado,
Let’s check ’em out:
1. Copperhead Classic Gin
Before going any further, it’s worth noting that Copperhead NV is the parent company responsible for creating The Copperhead line of gins. We’ll start things off with the most classic expression of the line, appropriately named the Copperhead Classic Gin.
This expression is made from a selection of five botanicals which are: juniper, cardamom, orange peel, angelica and coriander, which is well below the usual number of botanicals used in most gins.
The Copperhead Classic Gin is a champion of minimalism which was evident when the expression won gold at the The 2016 Spirits Business awards under the category of ‘Best London Dry‘ (gin, that is. And yes, not all ‘London dry gins’ are made in London).
- Nose: Sweetness on the nose with plenty of citrus.
- Palate: Citrus and cardamom stand out – a touch sugary.
- Finish: Juniper lasts on the finish.
2. Copperhead Black Batch Gin
After discovering the flagship “Mr. Copperhead” gin, legend has it that the fabled alchemist continued his search for ‘the elixir of life‘. As previously mentioned, the classic Copperhead Gin recipe features five botanicals.
Even so, Mr. Copperhead would not be content until he found the perfect recipe for the elixir and thus, Copperhead’s Black Batch edition was born by adding in elderberry, black berries and black Ceylon tea rose to the original Copperhead recipe.
Furthermore, Copperhead’s Black Batch expression is triple-distilled and crafted in small batches using traditional methods that incorporate a copper pot still. The end result is a gin that’s “versatile enough to mix and delicate enough to enjoy neat.”
- Nose: Cardamon, Citrus, Elderberry.
- Palate: Cinnamon, Juniper, Coriander.
- Finish: Long, dry and spicy.
3. Copperhead Gibsons Edition Gin
Unlike the previous two expressions of Copperhead, this particular gin was a collaborative effort between Copperhead NV and Marian Beke, renowned head bartender of the Islington bar The Gibson. (Get why it’s called The Gibson edition yet?)
This uniquely flavourful and savoury gin, I’ve been told, would be excellent for making Gibson Martinis! As for how its made, Copperhead starts things off by handing some distillate of their classic recipe (the one containing five botanicals) to Beke.
The talented bartender-cum-distiller then adds in 13 of his own ingredients, many of which are spices such as allspice, bay leaf and cassia to name a few. Perhaps the most important addition is an eight-year-old jenever which is mixed in as a sweetener.
- Nose: Sweet nutmeg, aromatic cinnamon, ginger, tingles of peppery juniper, orange blossom intertwined with creamy aromas of angelica.
- Palate: Deep, earthy juniper mixed with aromatic fennel and a broad but crisp herbal bitterness, subtle sweet notes, coriander, clove and cinnamon, savoury.
- Finish: Long and lingering, the fragrant spices fizz away for a good while upon the initial sip.
Get some delicious Copperhead Gin for yourself today:
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