Eden Project inspires tropical gin

Southwestern Distillery has released a limited-edition gin inspired by the Eden Project, using tropical ingredients.

Tarquin’s Eden Project Baobab Gin, made at Southwestern Distillery near Padstow, Cornwall, is infused with the African superfruit baobab and grains of paradise, a spice related to ginger that is sometimes referred to as alligator pepper.

Baobab boasts six times the amount of Vitamin C as an orange, as well as containing high levels of potassium, antioxidants, calcium and fibre.

Eden baobab is bought from rural groups in Malawi, providing valuable income for the harvesters. The trade in baobab fruits helps relieve poverty in Africa by supporting harvesters and their families. Eden baobab is sustainably harvested and bought from rural harvester groups in Malawi, providing valuable income for the harvesters.

Grains of paradise, harvested from an herbaceous perennial plant native to the west coast of Africa, provide a complimentary botanical to the baobab.

The Eden gin is based on Tarquin’s Cornish Gin, a spirit distilled by Southwestern Distillery. Each bottle features handwritten tasting notes, and is filled, corked and waxed by hand.

Eden worked with Southwestern Distillery’s founder and master distiller Tarquin Leadbetter, to find the ingredients to complement the botanicals of his flagship Cornish Gin. Baobab and grains of paradise were chosen because of their exotic spice and fruity flavours that work in beautiful harmony.

Amy Higgins, senior retail buyer at the Eden Project, says: “This is a very special gin. Tarquin has taken inspiration from Eden and given his already excellent dry gin a uniquely tropical twist. This limited edition gin is selling fast so we’d recommend people get theirs quickly.”

Tarquin’s Cornish Gin was Cornwall’s first gin for more than a century. It is copper distilled in small batches of only 300 bottles and uses violets and fresh citrus zest to create its flavour.

Tarquin’s Eden Project Baobab Gin is exclusively available at the Eden Project’s shop, as well as online at www.edenproject.com. RRP is £30 for a 70cl bottle.

9 January 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant