The team at Hellfire Bluff are proud to introduce you to Hellfire's Damson Gin, another member of our distinguished collection. Our new Gin redefines a traditional British specialty with a modern twist, offering an entirely different taste experience that is sure to capture senses.
Our Damson Gin is carefully crafted using a traditional process whereby we macerate the best Damson plums, that have been foraged from the Tasmanian countryside, in our famed London Dry Gin for around 12 months. This allows full development of the rich, plummy flavours and leaves this liqueur both robust and elegantly complex.
Hellfire's Damson Gin is deep red in colour—an instantaneous indicator of its rich, fruity essence. Each sip offers a perfect balance between the sweetness and tartness, hence making it great for both sophisticated cocktails and on-the-rocks simplicity.
It's time to step up your gin game with the individual taste of Hellfire's Damson Gin.
What is Damson Gin?
Damson Gin is a traditionally British liqueur, usually homemade or batch crafted, in which damson plums are macerated in a syrup made from sugar and gin, then left to infuse over a long period of time. This 12-month matured gin has achieved an incredible smoothness with a perfectly balanced flavour profile. Damson Gin is an excellent mix of fruity flavours with sweetness that is not too overpowering. If you are a sloe gin fan, then you really ought to give damson gin a shot. Damson Gin is an unknown variation of the traditional gin that really brings in a flavour unique to that of the Damson plum. It contains the same full, fruity, and intense flavours that really bring out the fine essence of this lovely British fruit. These small, tart plums, mostly gathered late in the winter, give flavour and colour to the gin. This gives it a fruity taste with sweetness but also a hint of tartness.
The Making of Damson Gin
Making a Damson Gin is a year-long process that requires great patience, technique, and fine ingredients. The following summary provides a general insight into how Hellfire Bluff Distillery crafts this marvellous spirit:
- Choosing the Damsons: Fresh, ripe damson plums give our Damson Gin its fantastic flavour. They are typically harvested in the late winter to early spring seasons from the lush Tasmanian countryside.
- Preparation: Quality check of the damsons, then they are washed and pricked, prepared for maceration.
- Infusion: Damson plums are added with sugar and our award-winning London Dry Gin. The mixture is sealed and left to infuse.
- Maturation: The Damson Gin is then left to mature for a period of 12 months to ensure a well-rounded and balanced liqueur. This will let the flavours really come out and integrate perfectly.
- Straining and Bottling: Finally, after infusion, the gin again goes through straining, to remove fruit and any sediment, and is then bottled ready to drink.
How Strong is Damson Gin?
Damson Gin typically has an alcohol content similar to that of Sloe Gin, lower than normal gin, with Hellfire’s Damson Gin registering 26% ABV (alcohol by volume). It's best to finish an opened bottle of gin within a year.
What is the Flavour of Damson Gin?
Damson gin is amazingly unique and full of intricate flavours. The sweet, fruity taste of damsons fuses with the botanicals of our London Dry Gin into a delicious liqueur. The damson plums display a rich flavour that is both sweet and slightly tart. Classic botanicals in gin—juniper, coriander, citrus—add a delightfully complicated character to the drink. The results is a liqueur that that is beautifully fruity and tart that is well-balanced allowing the spirit to be consumed straight or with a mixer.
Is Damson Gin the Same as Sloe Gin?
No, damson gin and sloe gin are not the same, though they have much in common. Our Damson Gin is fantastically smooth and fruity, so it differs a lot from most traditional Sloe Gins. Its colour is another contributor to its wonderful appeal. This becomes a truly crafted gin when much consideration is put into the preparation of a smooth and fruity flavour profile. While both gins shared a delightful infusion of fruit flavours, there are a couple of important differences setting them apart:
- Damson gin is made from damson plums, while sloe gin is made from the sloe berry.
- Regarding flavour, sloe gin is tangy with hints of citrus and spice, while damson gin offers a more indulgent, sweet flavour profile.
- Sloe gin is usually very ruby-red in colour, whereas damson gin will be more purplish.
How to Drink Damson Gin
Damson Gin is so versatile that it can be enjoyed in a range of different ways. Some of the popular ways one can indulge in this liqueur include:
- Neat or Over Ice: One can enjoy damson gin neat or over ice for the purist and people who want to experience this liquor unbiasedly. That way, one would get a full view of its unique flavour profile — sweetness from fruits, then the hand of botanicals from the gin.
- With Tonic or Soda: A refreshing and easy way to enjoy damson gin is with mixer tonic or soda water. The bitterness of the tonic can counteract the sweetness of the gin, so you have a refreshing and balanced drink. Add a slice of lemon or lime for extra zing.
- In Cocktails: There's no reason damson gin can't add a fruity dimension to many cocktails. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Damson Gin Fizz: Shake damson gin with fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup; shake with ice, then strain into a glass and top with soda.
- Damson Martini: Mix damson gin with dry vermouth and a dash of orange bitters. Stir with ice, then strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.
- Damson Bramble: Shake damson gin with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. Pour over crushed ice and garnish with blackberries or rosemary for a beautifully layered cocktail.
- Damson Hot Toddy: For a variation during the colder months, damson gin can add a nice warmth to the classic hot toddy. Mix it with hot water, a teaspoon of honey, and a slice of lemon for a comforting and aromatic drink.
What is the Best Mixer for Damson Gin?
Bring out the best mixer for your damson gin to experience tantalizing flavours. Here are some of the best mixer recommendations:
- Tonic Water: The bitterness of the tonic water contrasts to the sweet and tart notes of damson gin, making it a light and refreshing drink. It's the classic choice for lovers of gin.
- Soda Water: If you want a lighter mixer, Soda water really allows the natural flavours of damson gin to come out but adds a refreshing fizz.
- Ginger Ale—The spicy sweetness of ginger ale with the fruitiness of Damson Gin pairs perfectly, creating a warm cocktail.
- Lemonade: Mix damson gin with lemonade for a sweeter and more summery drink. This is a refreshing mix great for hot summer days.
Shop Damson Gin Today
Damson Gin is like a dark horse in spirits—a differentiation from regular gin that is more full-bodied. Rich in fruity flavours and of versatile character, it is an addition quite unlike any other to one's liquor cabinet. Whether straight, mixed in a cocktail, or added in a hot drink, the rich taste of damson gin will have your taste buds singing and really takes things to a different level of drinking experience. So why not have a go, and discover for yourself some of the delicious tastes that damson gin can offer?