Poetic License unveils chilli-flavoured gin

Poetic License Distillery, based on England’s north east coast, has released a limited-edition sweet bell pepper and naga chilli-flavoured gin.

Sweet Bell Pepper and Naga Chilli Gin is the sixth expression to join The Rarities range

Sweet Bell Pepper and Naga Chilli Gin is the sixth expression to join the distillery’s The Rarities range, a series of one-off special releases.

Limited to 500 bottles, the expression delivers “big smokiness” from chillies on the nose, followed by “sweetness” from juniper and yellow and green peppers.

The palate has a “velvety smooth mouthfeel with gentle heat” followed by “lingering warmth, flavours of fruity peppers and a very subtle smokiness from earthy chillies”.

“We reckon a few people might be put off this gin assuming it will be scary-spicy, but fear not! It will blow your socks off with flavour, but not with heat,” said distiller Luke Smith.

“We wanted to encapsulate the flavours of the chillies and not hugely the hotness – most people struggle to decipher flavour when their taste buds are overwhelmed with heat.”

“As such the gin is milder than you may expect for using such potent chillies, which measure over one million on the Scoville scale; we chose naga as these are the most flavourful of the chilli family.”

The suggested serve is with light tonic garnished with tricolour peppers.

The expression joins The Rarities range, which includes Orange Blossom, Cherry and Basil, Gooseberry and Elderflower and Blackberry and Bay.

It is anticipated that the Sweet Bell Pepper and Naga Chilli Gin will be in “similar high demand” after the previous expressions sold out “within a few days”.

A further four releases under The Rarities brand are planned for this year.

Sweet Bell Pepper and Naga Chilli Gin is available to buy online for an RRP of £34.95 (US$48.67).