First Impressions
Blood Monkey Spice Storm takes the original genever-style Irish gin — already distinctive with its malted barley base — and puts it through a second distillation with charred Seville oranges, cardamom pods, and Irish rosemary. The charring of the Seville oranges adds a smoky bitterness that transforms the spirit. Gold at the Global Gin Masters in the Contemporary category.
Tasting
Charred Seville orange, cardamom, Szechuan pepper, Irish rosemary, and kaffir lime leaf on a malted barley base. The nose is warming and woody with smoky charred citrus. On the palate at 40%, warming: burned orange and cardamom dominate, rosemary adds herbal depth, Szechuan pepper provides numbing heat. The finish is spiced and warming.
The Bottom Line
Blood Monkey Spice Storm earns a 7 — the charred Seville orange is inspired, adding a smoky bitterness that lifts this above standard spiced gins. The malted barley base provides viscosity and warmth. Gold at the Global Gin Masters confirms the quality. Best chilled neat or with ginger beer. At £35, a spiced Irish gin with genuine innovation.
