First Impressions
Panda Gin holds an unusual distinction: it was the first gin in the world to contain lychees. Distilled and bottled in Belgium, it is entirely organic and describes itself as having 'a Belgian touch and a Chinese soul' — the lychee and star anise providing the Asian dimension while the distillation and the pure water from the Hautes Fagnes highlands keep it firmly European. The name and the striking panda-adorned bottle are designed to bridge East and West, and the gin itself attempts the same cultural fusion.
The Distillery
Panda Gin is produced in Belgium using entirely organic ingredients. The botanical bill includes juniper, lychee, cherry, orange zest, basil, rosemary, and Chinese star anise, with pure water sourced from the Hautes Fagnes — the high moorland plateau that straddles the Belgian-German border. The water is exceptionally pure, and its use contributes to the gin's clean, refined character.
Tasting
The nose is fresh, refined, and fruity — the lychee contributing a delicate floral-fruit quality that is subtle rather than aggressive. Rose notes emerge alongside the lychee, with a little sweetness and the complexity of the spice blend adding depth. It is a nose that rewards patience, with new aromatic notes emerging on each approach.
On the palate, the attack is delicate, gentle, and light before evolving into a warm, fruity bloom. Strong, resinous juniper provides the backbone — this is unmistakably gin — with notes of plum and strawberry jam adding dark fruit richness. The juniper's strength is balanced by rosemary's herbal character and star anise's aromatic sweetness. The lychee is present but understated — contributing to the overall fruitiness rather than dominating it.
The finish is warm, fruity, soft, and lingering. Bright berry flavours persist with a peppery juniper bite providing structure. The star anise adds an aromatic warmth that extends the experience.
How to Drink It
The lychee and star anise make Panda a natural for Asian-inspired cocktails. Try it in a Lychee Martini — Panda Gin, lychee juice, and a dash of lime — or in a G&T with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic and a fresh lychee as garnish. The organic credentials also make it suitable for a clean, health-conscious serve.
The Bottom Line
Panda Organic Gin earns a 7.5 for creating a genuinely original gin that bridges Belgian distilling precision with Asian botanical influences. The lychee is the headline but not the whole story — cherry, basil, rosemary, and star anise create a complexity that goes well beyond a simple fruit gin. The organic certification and Hautes Fagnes water add integrity, and the resinous juniper backbone ensures this is gin first and lychee second. At around £42, the organic production and exotic botanicals command a premium, but the quality and originality justify it. A gin with a Chinese soul and a Belgian heart.
