First Impressions
Sacred Orris Gin is one of those bottles that could only come from a micro-distillery run by someone obsessed with their craft. Ian Hart, the founder of Sacred Spirits Company, distils this gin in his home in Highgate, North London, using vacuum distillation — a method that operates at low temperature to preserve the most delicate botanical flavours. The star ingredient is Tuscan orris root: the dried root of the iris flower, sourced from the Tuscan countryside and revered in both perfumery and gin production for its powdery, violet-like character.
Sacred Orris is a single-botanical expression — orris root distilled in isolation, then blended with a touch of Sacred's London Dry Gin for balance. It is an exercise in botanical purism that produces something genuinely unique.
The Distillery
Sacred Spirits Company operates from Hart's home in Highgate — one of the most unusual distillery locations in Britain. The vacuum distillation method allows botanical flavours to be extracted at temperatures well below 100°C, preserving volatile aromatic compounds that conventional distillation would destroy. The orris root is sourced from Tuscany, where the finest quality is produced — the root must be dried for three to five years before it develops its characteristic iris and violet aroma. The resulting orris distillate is then blended with a measure of Sacred's standard London Dry Gin, providing the juniper backbone that keeps the spirit recognisably gin.
Tasting
The nose is immediately and unmistakably floral. Violets dominate — soft, powdery, and elegant — with citrus providing brightness at the edges. The iris character of the orris root is clearly expressed, and the vacuum distillation has preserved aromatic qualities that you rarely encounter in gin. It is a nose that smells as much like a perfumery as a distillery, and that is entirely intentional.
On the palate, Parma violet leads — soft, floral, and distinctive. Earthy spices from the orris root provide a grounding quality that prevents the florals from becoming cloying, and lavender, pine, and lemon zest sit in the background, contributing the gin character from the Sacred London Dry blend. The overall impression is strongly reminiscent of the colour purple — a synesthetic quality that several reviewers have noted. The mouthfeel is light and elegant, and the 43.8% ABV provides just enough body without heaviness.
The finish is smooth and floral, with lingering violet and iris character that extends pleasantly. It is a gentle, refined finish — not a dramatic one — consistent with the gin's overall personality of quiet floral elegance.
How to Drink It
Sacred Orris makes a stunning G&T — use Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic and garnish with a twist of lemon and a few dried violet petals. The floral character of the gin blooms in this serve, creating a drink of remarkable beauty and flavour. It also makes an exceptional Aviation — the violet notes in the gin mean you can use less crème de violette, allowing the natural orris character to shine.
For a pure floral experience, try it in a Vesper Martini, where the orris rounds the edges of the vodka and the Lillet.
The Bottom Line
Sacred Orris earns a 7.5 for producing something genuinely unique — a single-botanical gin that celebrates Tuscan orris root with the care and precision that only vacuum distillation can provide. The violet character is beautiful and unmistakable, and the blend with Sacred London Dry ensures it remains recognisably gin. It is not a gin for every occasion — the floral intensity will not suit purists seeking juniper dominance — but for those who appreciate botanical artistry and the extraordinary character of fine orris root, this is a bottle of real distinction. From a home distillery in Highgate, a gin that proves greatness can come from the smallest of operations.
