Makers of Pinkster release QB

Ginmeister, the producer behind Pinkster gin has unveiled QB, a small-batch, fruit-gin liqueur, made using Suffolk quince and bullace from the hedgerows of East Anglia.

Aside from Boozy Berries, this is the first new brand to come from Ginmeister, since Pinkster launched in 2013.

Following a successful trial with local Cambridge outlets including The Pint Shop, QB has secured an exclusive wholesaler listing with Gordon and MacPhail.

Stephen Marsh, Ginmeister managing director, says: "It’s no understatement that QB really is pretty out of the ordinary.

"We’ve spent days on our hands and knees rummaging around the hedgerows to collect the fruit and the resulting taste of the unusual quince and bullace pairing is divine.

"Encouraging feedback from bars and customers at events convinced us to go commercial, though with wild bullace in short supply, we’ll only ever be producing a limited amount each season."

QB is based on an original recipe created by Stephen Marsh who oversees production, signing each of the distinctive, numbered, limited-edition bottles.

As it did for Pinkster, design agency Nevis created the concept for QB. Nevis worked to a brief of quiet sophistication, minimalism and space for the liquid to speak for itself. A number of names were considered for the product, however QB was settled upon, capturing the importance placed upon the key ingredients.

QB is also available in a gift-set with Pinkster from Drinks In Tube.

Marsh says: “Pinkster sales are flying and it firmly remains our flagship brand but we’ll certainly be looking at other quirky, fruity variations to broaden our portfolio and introduce people to new drinking experiences, just as we’ve already successfully done with raspberries.”

QB is available in 50cl bottle, ABV 30%, with RRP £45.00. Distribution is available direct from the brand and also Gordon and MacPhail.

For further details www.qbgin.com 

29 October 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant