First Impressions
Downpour Sloe & Bramble takes the Spirit of the Year gin and adds sloe berries and locally gathered Uist brambles, then ages the blend in ex-bourbon casks for mellowed, layered complexity. Gold at the Spirits Business Gin Masters 2022.
Tasting
The nose shows juicy herbal blackberries with tart sloes and Hebridean berry richness. On the palate, tart sloe berries meet Uist brambles with almond and vanilla hints from the bourbon cask, juniper staying front and centre. The finish is smooth with bourbon-cask vanilla warmth.
The Bottom Line
Downpour Sloe & Bramble earns a 7 for a uniquely Hebridean sloe gin. The ex-bourbon cask ageing adds a dimension that conventional sloe gins lack, and the local brambles provide Uist terroir. Gold at Gin Masters well deserved. Best over ice with a fresh orange slice.
