First Impressions
Boatyard Sloe Boat steeps wild-harvested sloe berries for six months in a bespoke gin distilled in County Fermanagh. An impressive 420 grams of sloes go into every bottle — the berries are first frozen to break the skins, allowing the high-strength gin to absorb maximum flavour. After 8-12 weeks, almond notes begin developing from the sloe stones.
Tasting
The nose is rich and fruity with sloe berry aroma, hints of spice and citrus. On the palate, sweet plum and cassis with tender nectar — sloe berry tartness meeting dry juniper, juicy with hints of honey and almond developing from the long steeping. The finish is smooth and warming with a delightful almond hint.
The Bottom Line
Boatyard Sloe Boat earns a 7 for a generous, organic Irish sloe gin. The six-month steeping and 420g of sloes per bottle create genuine depth, and the almond notes from the stones add a dimension that shorter-steeped competitors miss. Country Winner at World Gin Awards 2021 alongside the Old Tom — a remarkable double.
