Maral Sloe Gin (50 cl)

Maral Sloe Gin

Their company is called Zinneke Spirit and this little nod is very appropriate since the three creators of this 100% Belgian sloe gin have no professional roots in the world of spirits. Julien Bricart, Arnaud de Merode and Nicolas Haegelsteen, all in their thirties, have therefore been supported in this adventure by a real pro: Christophe Mulatin, the man who distills faster than his shadow for a flock of clients at the Biercée Distillery. The kingpin of the project, Nicolas Haegelsteen is however a true passionate of nature and plants, who picks, then lets macerate and ferment everything that has fallen into his hands over the years, with, he humbly admits, "various fortunes". Via the French structure Terra Hominis, he has also bought shares in the Obrière wine-growing estate in Languedoc-Roussillon.

Sloe gin is a typically British liqueur obtained by macerating sloe berries in gin with added sugar (to counteract the harshness of these small wild berries). For this first batch, the sloe gin macerated for a year - the Covid-19 pandemic having led to the forced closure of the distillery - which is much longer than initially planned. The result: concentrated flavours and a very good balance between sugar and acidity. The taste of this very special gin has been further enhanced by a blend of citrus and aromatic herbs. It can be drunk neat, with an ice cube, or can be mixed with a sparkling drink (tonic or bubbles).