First Impressions
Copper Rivet's Dockyard Damson blends pressed damson berry juice with their grain-to-glass gin and matures it in virgin American white oak. The oak vanilla offsets tartness without added sugar — pips and skins are removed from pressed damsons to maximise natural sweetness.
Tasting
The nose shows rich ripe plum with vanilla. On the palate, jammy sweetness balanced by tartness — oak vanilla elevating natural damson sweetness. The finish is dark fruit richness with vanilla warmth.
The Bottom Line
Dockyard Damson earns a 7 for no-added-sugar damson gin elevated by oak ageing. The vanilla from American white oak is a clever natural sweetener, and the deep purple colour is stunning. Serve neat, over ice, or with Champagne as a Kentish Kir Royale.
