We have recently launched Strane "Uncut" in the
UK. At 75.3% vol., Strane "Uncut" is the strongest commercially available gin.
How do we know Strane "Uncut" is the strongest gin? Well first of all we are not aware of another gin which is stronger.
Secondly, David T Smith of
Summer Fruit Cup,
who has reviewed over 300 gins, is also not aware of a stronger commercially
available gin. Interestingly David notes in his review of Strane "Uncut" that the
previous holders of the title would be Blackwoods and Finsbury, both at 60%
Vol. for unaged gin, and for aged gin, an Alambic bottling.
Thirdly, Strane "Uncut" is the strongest gin
available at The Feathers Hotel, a hotel which offers a choice of 264 different
gins.
Fourthly we have enjoyed some coverage of
Strane "Uncut" in the drinks press over the last couple of days, and so far no
one has come forward to say another brand is stronger!
So Strane "Uncut" would appear to be the
strongest available gin in the UK, if not the world. I doubt we will hold the title for long. Someone
somewhere is probably working on something as I type. It has not been our
intention to start a ‘strength race’, "Uncut"’s release has led from the unusual
way Strane gin is created; three differently
balanced base gins; junipery, citrusy and herbal, are distilled and then
blended to create different expressions in bottle; Merchant Strength 47.4%
vol., Navy Strength 57.1% vol. and now “Uncut”. With the blending taking place
before the addition of water, the distiller Pär Caldenby, regularly samples and noses Strane gin at receiver strength.
Pär simply felt Strane in its uncut form was ‘too good to hold back’. With an increasingly crowded gin shelf we
need to shout about what is different, and with Strane "Uncut", it is the
strength.
Strane Uncut will only be produced in limited quantities. Intriguingly
as it is over 70% alcohol, our order was shipped from Sweden as Dangerous
Goods, or to be more precise as ‘UN3065 / Alcoholic Beverage / Class 3/ PG (packaging group) II in
limited quantities'. This, as you probably guessed, costs extra.
Whilst exceptionally strong, Pär suggests trying Strane
“Uncut” neat, ice cold, in very small sips, with a glass of
water on the side. At first it will be (relatively) discreet due to the ice,
then progressively increase in strength of character and power, until it simply
goes into gin overdrive. With “Uncut” there is a
mighty surge of power and strength of character, and it is rich in juniper,
lemon peel, sage and mint. Strane “Uncut” is not an
everyday gin, but a remarkable experience for gin lovers. Of course you are also welcome to experiment with Strane "Uncut" in
your favourite cocktail.
*possibly
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| Strane at The Feathers |
