Hickson House Distilling Co. Harbour Strength Gin

Bottling at a higher alcohol content always creates punchy gins, and many spicer, sharper, woody elements come forward. The Harbour Strength by Hickson House is an interesting expression of what ABV does to gin, containing the same botanical bill and in the same measure as their Classic Dry, it demonstrates precisely how the alcohol interacts with the botanicals. On the nose, the juniper is significantly more resinous - almost to the point of a fruity pine aroma- and freshly cut herbs have a bright green quality. The saltbush interacts with this gin more vigorously than in its Classic Dry form. There's a denser, oily, briney quality to it. If Classic Dry was like a calm beach morning, this is stormy and doesn't pull any punches.

Jess Clayfield