Sir Edmond Gin is the world's first gin infused with Bourbon vanilla. It is a rebellious spirit with an unusual character that reflects the bold spirit of the manufacturers and their desire to do things differently. The brand's name is inspired by th ...
Sir Edmond Gin is the world's first gin infused with Bourbon vanilla. It is a rebellious spirit with an unusual character that reflects the bold spirit of the manufacturers and their desire to do things differently. The brand's name is inspired by the figure of Edmond Albius, a 19th-century Réunion slave who "invented" hand pollination of vanilla flowers. Réunion Island (formerly known as Bourbon Island) is home not only to vanilla, but also to elegant flamingos. This bird became a symbol of the brand and made its way into its logo.
In the 1820s, French colonists began growing vanilla on the island of Réunion. But they did not succeed - the insects refused to pollinate the plant. Edmond Albius brought the change in 1841. At that time, a boy of only twelve years old discovered that vanilla flowers can be pollinated by hand. His discovery did not go unnoticed, and this technique of pollination of vanilla spread beyond the borders of the island, where it is still used today. Albius unwittingly made history with this, but unfortunately he did not get rich and died poor. The brand name thus pays homage to the man who is indirectly responsible for the unique and distinctive taste of Sir Edmond gin.
When the producers followed in the footsteps of their namesake, they were amazed by the beauty of the small island, full of natural treasures: volcanic landscapes, dense rainforests, coral reefs and a diversity of fauna. Réunion is home to a number of migratory birds, of which flamingos stand out. Manufacturers immediately fell in love with this fascinating bird species and transferred it to the brand logo, as it symbolizes their difference and unusual nature.
One of the basic ingredients of gin is bourbon vanilla originating from Réunion (together with Madagascar, it produces roughly 80% of the world's vanilla harvest). Patience is needed when growing, as the flower appears three years after planting. Pollination is done by hand and 600 flowers need to be pollinated to obtain one kilogram of vanilla. If successful, the vanilla pods will ripen in 9-12 months. They are also harvested by hand due to their fragility. This is followed by drying, during which the vanilla pod acquires its typical appearance. The entire process from seed to pod takes approximately 4 years.
In addition to vanilla, which gives gin a delicate and refined taste, there is also juniper - the heart of every gin. Other botanicals are cardamom, angelica root, ginger and cinnamon. The plant ingredients come from different corners of the world – South-Eastern Europe, Central America, Greenland, China and Africa.
The production of gin takes place in the Dutch distillery Herman Jansen by pot distillation together with basic botanicals. The distillate is then infused with bourbon vanilla, which is cut into small pieces. After 6-8 weeks, the distillate is filtered and the result is a clear gin with a golden sheen obtained precisely thanks to the vanilla.
Sir Edmond Gin is aromatic and delicate. The scent is dominated by the aroma of vanilla, followed by notes of juniper, cardamom and earthy angelica. The taste is velvety soft with sweet notes of vanilla, which pass into a spicy finish with a touch of cinnamon and ginger. The aftertaste is not too sweet.
Sir Edmond Gin is great in combination with tonic, as a base for cocktails or you can enjoy it neat, over ice cubes.
Sir Edmond Gin is a product of the Amsterdam company of the same name, founded in 2016. Production takes place at the Herman Jansen distillery in Schiedam, the Netherlands. From every bottle sold, the manufacturer donates a contribution to the African Wildlife Foundation. Based in Kenya, this charity devotes its passion and funds to the conservation of local wildlife and their habitats.
