Pinkster gin maker releases first liqueur

The parent company of Pinkster gin has released the first beverage line extension in its portfolio – a fruit gin-based liqueur called QB.

Created by Ginmeister, QB is made with Suffolk quince and wild bullace foraged from hedgerows in East Anglia. Due to the short supply of wild bullace – a variety of plum – the liqueur will be produced seasonally and in limited batches.

Aside from Boozy Berries – a jar of gin-infused raspberries launched in November last year – QB is the first product launched by Ginmeister since its core Pinkster gin brand debuted in 2013.

Following a successful trial with local Cambridge outlets, QB, described as a “luxury” spirit, has secured an exclusive wholesaler listing with Gordon and MacPhail.

“We’ve spent days on our hands and knees rummaging around the hedgerows to collect the fruit and the resulting taste of the unusual quince and bullace pairing is divine,” said Stephen Marsh, managing director of Ginmeister.

“Encouraging feedback from bars and customers at events convinced us to go commercial, though with wild bullace in short supply, we’ll only ever be producing a limited amount each season.”

Marsh created the original recipe for QB and oversees its production, signing each of the individually numbered bottles.

He said that while Pinkster gin remains the company’s flagship brand, Ginmeister will seek to create “other quirky, fruity variations” to broaden its portfolio.

QB (30% abv) is available in 50cl bottles at an RRP of £45.00. It is also available in a premium gift set with Pinkster from Drinks In Tube.

Earlier this year, Pinkster gin raised £1 million on new equity platform Growthdeck, smashing its £600,000 goal.