AWARD-WINNING SEVEN CROFTS LAUNCHES FISHERMAN’S STRENGTH GIN
Brace yourselves! The Highland Liquor Company has unveiled its new Seven Crofts ‘Fisherman’s Strength’ gin from its small distillery in the Northwest Highlands.
The second edition in its portfolio, and looking just as stunning as the first, this new navy strength bottling, will be on sale from October 9th 2020 and follows the success of its award-winning Seven Crofts Gin launched just last year.
Bottled at 57% ABV, the small-batch gin is hand distilled and has a flavour profile that’s juniper led with forest floor notes coming through and notes of ripe blueberry, cracked black pepper, pink pepper and touch of spicy coriander.
Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength uses a distinctive blend of traditional and signature botanicals including coriander, pink peppercorns, cubebs, cardamom, angelica and fresh lemon peel. Some are added straight into the pot while others are steamed to preserve their delicate character. A perfect accompaniment to fish and seafood, best enjoyed in a martini or classic G&T with a slice or twist of orange.
Founded by Helen Chalmers and Robert Hicks, The Highland Liquor Company is based in Ullapool. Like Seven Crofts, which is named after the original seven private dwellings that made up Ullapool in 1791, Fisherman’s Strength’s name was inspired by its setting. Fishermen’s Strength celebrates the village’s thriving fishing community and the fact that Ullapool was originally founded for the British Fisheries Society.
Co-founder, Robert Hicks said:
“We developed our Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength gin in a tribute to Ullapool’s fishing community which has been at the heart of the village for more than two hundred years. Our small batch handcrafted gin celebrates this community: past, present and future!”
Having won Best New Launch Design at the World Gin Awards 2020 for its original bottle, it’s no surprise the new gin is presented in the same classic style – a tall, genever bottle this time featuring a blue ombre inspired by its coastal roots. Robert and Helen worked again with Glasgow-based design company D8 to create a complementary design.
Tasting notes:
Nose: A powerful nose (as you might expect for a navy strength gin) but definitely juniper led with forest floor notes coming through and notes of ripe blueberry, cracked black pepper, pink pepper and touch of spicy coriander.
Palate: Assertive (again as you would expect of a higher ABV gin), although once you have grown accustomed to the alcohol, the juniper on the nose presents itself nicely on the palate. Opulent blue and black fruits and baked apple at first with pink pepper coming through, along with coriander which manifests itself particularly on the long-lasting, elegant finish.
Being at the centre of the community in Ullapool has been important to Robert and Helen during the current coronavirus pandemic, throughout which the distillery was able to produce hand sanitiser free of charge for local front-line workers. The distillery continues to produce the hand sanitiser for the community as well as other businesses.
Seven Crofts Gin, which launched with great success at the end of 2019, secured listings with five-star hotels, restaurants and retailers including Harvey Nichols, Michael Caine’s Michelin star restaurant at Lympstone Manor and flagship bars both in the UK and beyond.
Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength Gin retails at £48 for 70cl bottle and is available to preorder online at www.highlandliquorcompany.com and from other selected fine stores from Friday 9th October.
