From the house of Rum comes the new Copeland Tiki Gin's Inspired by the tropical exotica of 1950s island-style cocktail bars, this gin features a rummy molasses base spirit and is distilled with real pineapple, tonka bean and a host of tropical spices.
I've designed gins for a few clients- some of which have gone on to win numerous awards - and I felt it was time for me to get in on the action and have a bit of fun. I didn't want it to be a huge departure from my rum and the core of the business, so I began experimenting with tropical flavours to see if we could take gin to the beach, says James Copeland owner and distiller of Copeland Spirits.
With many classic gin cocktails featuring pineapple juice, I knew this hero ingredient and juniper would be a winning combo
Classic London dry ingredients such as juniper, lemon peel, coriander and angelica root make sure it is very much a gin, but the exotic island spice mix of cloves, cassia and ginger often associated with spiced rums create a further connection to the rum world. Tonka bean bridges the gap between the pineapple and spice with delicious effect, adding sweet aromas of vanilla, almond, and cherry.These are all flavours reminiscent of Tiki cocktails like the Mai Tai and others that use orgeat syrup, which is made from almonds and spices.
The strong London dry components mean it's perfectly happy with tonic and a signature pineapple garnish ( fresh or dehydrated ), but more exotic pairings are encouraged such as gin and ginger ale to encourage the spice or Gin and Juice.
So what is Tiki exactly? It was a movement created in 1950s America by cocktail legend Don the Beachcomber. Post-war Americans were looking for escapism and found it in Don's kitschy beach decor, island motifs and over the top drinks served in mystical mugs with the faces of Polynesian gods adorned with exotic fruit and flowers. Hefty pours of rum and potent secret syrups made the Tiki experience a heady world to get lost in.
Tiki is not just about rum - gin features in many Tiki favourites such as the Singapore Sling, the Saturn and the Fogcutter. The current revival in modern/minimalist Tiki has led to further exploration into uncharted territory and Copeland Tiki Gin is an intrepid explorer heading deep into this jungle of untold riches.
Whatever the future of this opulent and exotic revival, Copeland rum and Copeland Tiki Gin are your indispensable travel companions on your journey.
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