A Jurassic Juniper Jolt …
Named after the highest point along the much visited stretch of our southern coastline, this is truly a classic London Dry and another much appreciated find from our Gin Scouts, Bill and Lesley, who brought it back from a pre-Christmas rendezvous with family and friends. With a couple of regular favourites already open in the fridge, we waited after the big day to sample the 41.6% distillation, but were immediately impressed by the Jurassic Jolt of the Juniper lead, followed by a crisp blend of citrus notes. And happily the initial impact is backed up by an impressively smooth finish with enough spice to make the interest linger.
Golden Cap isn’t distinctive enough to claim a Top Ten slot alongside the G-Gin which the pair also discovered in Dorset, but we’d doubt that any serious gin lover would be disappointed by the taste, or the way it mixes with ice and a premium tonic. We tried ours with both Fever Tree Indian Tonic and the maker’s Clementine mixer which Juliet had managed to track down just ahead of the holiday. Why is it that decent orange flavoured tonics seem to be seasonal like Marks & Spencer’s handkerchiefs or pigs-in-blankets?
Golden Cap’s fluted bottle has a classy feel to it while the simple waistband label bears a dark blue line depicting the topography of the headland which apparently inspired the makers’ efforts; though no further facts about the blend of botanicals are present and there is little of substance on the website. In the absence of clarification I’d guess at something subtle like Grains of Paradise or angelica root. Certainly nothing to compare with the bite of the giant Pliosaur whose fossilised head was hewn out of the Jurassic cliffs in 2023.
Another G&T please and make it snappy!
Golden Cap Gin can be purchased from the distiller for £30.50.
