First Impressions
Black Lodge Potions in the West Midlands creates what they call 'potions' rather than simply gins — and the Smoky Berries & Liquorice expression is the most potion-like of all. Combining aromatic smoke, dark jammy fruit, and woody liquorice root is a bold move: these are not standard gin flavours. No artificial ingredients — the smoke, berries, and liquorice come from quality botanicals, with the multi-award-winning distillery's attention to detail evident in every sip.
Tasting
The nose is deep aromatic smokiness with jammy bramble berries and sweet liquorice. On the palate at 40%, a gentle but intensifying smoke meets dark rich plummy fruit and sweet woody liquorice notes, rounded off with smooth tingly heat. Juniper provides the traditional dry backbone. The finish is traditional dry juniper and pine with subtle lingering liquorice, smoke, and fruit.
The Bottom Line
Black Lodge Smoky Berries & Liquorice earns a 7 — a gin that genuinely pushes category boundaries. The smoke is the talking point, but the jammy berries and woody liquorice prevent it from becoming a smoked spirit. Juniper keeps it recognisably gin. Best in a G&T with ginger ale rather than tonic, or in a smoky Negroni where the dark fruit plays beautifully with Campari. At £35, a West Midlands potion with real imagination.
