Old Curiosity launches Lemon Verbena gin

Edinburgh-based gin brand Old Curiosity has launched Lemon Verbena gin.

The unique bottling is the distillery’s first clear gin and is the newest edition to its popular Secret Garden Range. It is a refreshing dry gin, with a natural citrus note and a hint of lemon sherbet.

Distilled using freshly hand-harvested lemon verbena from the distillery’s Secret Herb Garden, the gin also comprises base botanicals of handpicked juniper, coriander, angelica and winter savoury. It is best served with a slice of lemon peel and a light tonic to allow the natural flavours and aromas to shine through.

To mark the launch, the Lemon Verbena gin has been selected by Fortnum & Mason as their Spirit of the Month with a special launch price of £33.00 per 500ml bottle.

The Old Curiosity Distillery is the most recent project from Hamish Martin, a Scottish herbologist and owner of the Secret Herb Garden – a specialist herb nursery on the outskirts of Edinburgh, and the UK’s only working gin botanical garden

Hamish comments: “With the lighter nights now rolling in, we wanted to bring the first taste of summer to our fans, and what better way to do this than with a delicious lemon flavoured gin?

“This is one of our favourite gins yet and we’re thrilled with the results. The lemon verbena plant boasts plenty of health benefits; it is packed with antioxidants, protects muscles, reduces inflammation and boosts the immune system – plus it tastes delicious! So, when life gives you lemons, go for lemon verbena gin!”

The much-anticipated gin joins the distillery’s original Secret Garden Range trio launched in October 2017, comprising Apothecary Rose, Lavender & Echinacea, and Chamomile & Cornflower flavours.

All of the herbs and botanicals within the Secret Herb Garden are grown naturally with no chemicals, and are hand-picked, dried, and then infused and distilled by the team at the Old Curiosity Distillery. They are all 100% natural; free of chemicals, sugars and flavour compounds.

The Lemon Verbena gin is available to buy from specialist off-licences, retailers and outlets in Scotland and from Harvey Nichols nationwide. It will be available to buy from Old Curiosity’s website www.theoldcuriosity.co.uk from Monday 22 April.

18 April 2019 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editor