First Impressions
If the Bathtub Gin Navy Strength is a spice bomb, the Bathtub Sloe is a fruit bomb detonated inside that same spice warehouse. The compound method that defines the Bathtub range — crushed botanicals infused in pot-still spirit — is applied here to sloe berries, and the result is a sloe gin of extraordinary intensity and character. Bottled at 33.8% ABV — considerably stronger than most sloe gins, which hover around 25-26% — it retains more of the base gin's spice-driven personality than gentler expressions can manage.
The brown paper wrapping and string remain, the slightly cloudy appearance is present, and the promise is the same as always with Bathtub: maximum flavour, minimum pretension.
The Distillery
Atom Brands produces the Bathtub Sloe using their signature compound method. The base Bathtub Gin — with its juniper, cinnamon, clove, coriander, and orange peel — is infused with wild sloe berries, creating a spirit where the spice character of the gin and the tart, almondy character of the sloe berries exist in dramatic interplay. The higher ABV preserves more of the base gin's intensity than lower-strength sloe gins can achieve.
Tasting
The nose is intoxicating. Marzipan and almonds — the classic aromatic hallmark of sloe berries — arrive first, accompanied by aromatic juniper and rich, juicy berry fruit. Then the Bathtub base gin makes its presence felt: waves of cinnamon and hot clove roll through, with citrus swirling in the background and aromas of freshly baked cakes adding a sweet, comforting warmth. It is a nose of remarkable complexity — part hedgerow, part bakery, part spice market.
On the palate, almond and berries arrive on entry and stay throughout. The flavour is thick and seriously flavoursome — the compound method delivers a richness of texture and intensity of flavour that is genuinely exceptional. The tart berry grip is extraordinary — sloe berries at their most assertive, puckering and complex, with none of the sugary sweetness that lesser sloe gins substitute for real fruit character. There are hints of vanilla and oak tannins that add depth, and the mouth-coating richness is the most tactile quality any sloe gin offers.
The finish is quite dry and slightly sour — a conclusion that will surprise drinkers expecting the sweetness typical of the category. It puckers the mouth and leaves the palate wanting more, with whispering spices from the base gin lingering in the background. It is a finish that demands another sip.
How to Drink It
The higher ABV and intense character make this sloe gin extraordinarily versatile. Neat, slightly chilled, it is among the finest sloe gins you can drink. In a Sloe Gin Negroni, the spice from the base gin creates something magnificent — the Campari, the sloe tartness, and the cinnamon-clove warmth in perfect tension.
For a simpler serve, try it in a Sloe Gin Fizz — the tartness and marzipan character work beautifully with lemon juice and soda.
The Bottom Line
Bathtub Sloe Gin earns an 8 — and may genuinely be among the best sloe gins available. The compound method produces a spirit of extraordinary intensity, the 33.8% ABV preserves the base gin's spice character, and the tart berry grip is a masterclass in what real sloe berries can achieve. The marzipan nose, the mouth-coating richness, and the dry, puckering finish create an experience that transcends the sloe gin category entirely. At around £24 for a 50cl bottle, it represents outstanding value. If you love sloe gin, this is the bottle. If you think you don't love sloe gin, this might be the bottle that changes your mind.
