“BUY ME!!!

Another very good gin we purchased recently in Aldi is Haysmith’s Rhubarb & Ginger; picking it perhaps due to some very clever marketing, with the bright and triadic opposing colours of purple bottle and orange labelling screaming at us to “BUY ME!!!”

Whether you know your colour wheel or not, the contents of this gin are as in your face as the branding – a lovely, warming but quite complex tipple that can be enjoyed on its own or with a tonic.  Aldi accurately describes Haysmith’s Rhubarb & Ginger Gin as “sweet, spicy and fruity with a warming taste of fiery ginger, finishing with juniper and citrus.”  The grocer recommends serving with ginger ale and lots of ice – not having any ginger ale around, we supped ours with a 50/50 ratio of light tonic, feeling that too much mixer might numb the very pleasant flavours that accost you as you sip.

In fact, this very gin was named among the best in the world at the prestigious 2023 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), winning one of the half dozen, highest ‘Gold Outstanding’ medals in the Flavoured Gin category, beating over 700 entries to claim the well-earned accolade.  Described by the judges as “magnificently well balanced with full, rich flavours of mouth-watering rhubarb, fiery ginger and chaste juniper.”

Like Alice in Wonderland upon finding her shouty little bottle with its label around the neck, I was unable to resist – so we bought this colourful bottle, “BUY ME!”- remembering back to when we purchased The Lakes Gin, which bore Alice’s “DRINK ME!” on its label.

Launched in 2020, we enjoyed this 40 per cent tipple from Aldi as much its Haysmith’s Oriental Spiced Gin and will most definitely be buying both again.

Haysmith’s Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, at just £14.99 a bottle, is a bargain.