First Impressions
Hendrick's Grand Cabaret is the fifth release in the Cabinet of Curiosities series — master distiller Lesley Gracie's first exploration of stone fruits. Inspired by the historic fruit eaux-de-vie enjoyed in 17th-century Paris, it adds stone fruits to the classic Hendrick's recipe with its eleven botanicals and Damask rose and cucumber infusions.
Tasting
The nose is bold with cherry and peaches evoking fruit brandy — fresh peach, apricot and especially passion fruit, with underlying cantaloupe and melon fruitiness. On the palate, prominent fruit without high residual sweetness — peach and passion fruit leap out with a more austere floral quality, transitioning to bitter, resinous juniper backbone. The stone fruit fades gracefully to juniper on the finish.
The Bottom Line
Grand Cabaret earns an 8 for one of the most distinct and original Cabinet of Curiosities releases. The stone fruit-meets-juniper combination recalls eaux-de-vie without losing gin identity, and the bitter juniper backbone prevents sweetness from taking over. Bold, bright, and genuinely creative.
