First Impressions
Plymouth Gin Distillery — England's oldest working gin distillery, housed in a former Dominican monastery since 1793 — has been making sloe gin to an 1883 recipe. Dartmoor sloe berries are macerated with still-strength Plymouth Gin, soft Dartmoor water, and sugar for approximately four months. The result is the benchmark against which all other sloe gins are measured.
Tasting
The nose is sweet plum and raisin with vanilla, oak, and angelica, plus a nutty almond touch. On the palate at 26%, deep, fruity, and full-bodied: robust blackberry and sour plum with licorice, aromatic cinnamon and angelica. Nice acidity retains a subtle kick. The finish is medium with raspberry licorice and angelica, sweet notes fading gracefully.
The Bottom Line
Plymouth Sloe earns an 8 — the 1883 recipe and four-month maceration produce a sloe gin of remarkable depth and balance. The soft Dartmoor water adds a smoothness that modern sloe gins often lack. Perfect for sipping neat in winter, or as a base in cocktails. At £27, the original and still the best. The benchmark.
