Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin

For people who think that all gins are the same, I hope that over the years, That's Christmas and our sister publication/site, That's Food and Drink has been able to bring you some rather special gins that might, hopefully, change your opinions of gin.

One such of these very special gins is Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin.

Although it describes itself as a London Dry Gin (and there's nothing wrong with a London dry Gin) Ophir Oriental Spiced Gin is far, far more than a London Dry Gin.

It is cunningly and lovingly crafted using a range of some very special botanicals  from the ancient spice route travelled by the likes of Marco Polo all those centuries ago.

So, what spices are actually used in this very special Oriental gin?

There is Cubebs (or tailed peppers) from Indonesia, Black Pepper from India and Coriander from Morocco.

Hand-picked, we are informed, to create a unique spiced gin.

And, yes, that description is right. It is unique and it is spiced.

What does it take like?

Like no other gin I have ever tasted, to be honest. And I mean that in a good, positive way.

The aroma is like when you open the doors of one of those secretive yet exciting spice shops that you find in parts of our major cities. It reminds me also of my wife's recipe for rice pudding, which, being an old family recipe from her Indian family, contains Coriander.)

So, we have established that it smells nice. What does it taste like?

There's an undercurrent of the two types of peppers, in the taste. But the predominant flavour is that of the Coriander. But it's not too strong, the balance between the different flavours is just right.

You really should give your Christmas guests a special treat this year and have a bottle of Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin in your drinks cabinet.

Served neat, or as part of a vastly different gin-based cocktail, Opihr will make you the talking point of your circle of friends and your family for some time to come.

http://opihr.com/