18th August 2021

Limited Edition Oak Aged Gin

Oak aged gin sounds a bit different and looks very different to our standard Burrell’s London Dry Gin. We tend to think of other spirits to be oak aged like Whisky and Brandy but not Gin. Traditionally gin was a clear spirit, however, in recent times we are becoming more used to more colourful gins. But a dark brown oak aged gin, that looks more like Whisky than Gin now that is unusual.

Why have we Oak Aged our Burrell’s Dry Gin?

Tristan, our master distiller loves to get creative and experimental with his gin. On the Estate we are lucky to have a number of magnificent oak trees and a wind fallen oak tree is the inspiration and basis for the Limited Edition Oak Aged Gin.

The oak tree was seasoned and prepared for us by Ketsby Saw Mill on the estate and then Tristan worked his magic by steeping oak chips and the finest Tahitian Vanilla into our Burrell’s London Dry Gin.

Burrell's Limited Edition Oak Aged Gin on barrel

What does it taste like?

On the nose, you get lots of vanilla & toast, but with underlying citrus & juniper, with a touch of fruit. Once you’ve taken a sip, your palate is greeted with warming toast, honey & vanilla, with a rich & creamy texture. Underneath all the oak, toast & vanilla, Burrell’s characteristics are still present with notes of juniper & citrus… more lemon. The finish is long and luxurious, the toasted oak & vanilla just keep on giving.

If you find the concept of Oak Aged Gin a little perplexing, you’re not alone. Just what is one supposed to do with this amber coloured spirit that has all the botanical flavours of gin, plus whisky-like notes of wood and vanilla? Treat it like Whisky? Use it in place of traditional gin? Sip it neat?

For one, yes, you can absolutely drink it straight. It also works quite well as a cocktail component — though maybe not in a classic gin drink like a Martini. Oak aged gin works better in classics like the Martinez but works amazingly in cocktails not typically associated with gin, like the Old Fashioned, but it really gives mixologists new options.

Oak ageing a gin gives it many of the classic aged spirit flavours that gin is not usually associated with, such as vanilla, caramel, oak, and smoke.

Oak Ageing Isn't New

The concept of Oak or barrel ageing gin isn’t new. Genever, the malt spirit that is a precursor to gin, was often aged in oak barrels. But it’s an unfamiliar concept for many people, even avid gin drinkers. Small distilleries continue to age their gin, though, and bartenders are having fun introducing people to the pleasures of this wood-kissed, juniper-forward spirit by riffing on classics and coming up with new cocktails.

In general, gin doesn’t have to sit in oak or barrels for as long as whisky to pick up flavours from the wood. Often, it’s simply finished in a barrel for a couple of months.

Tristan Jorgensen our Distillery Manager says “You don’t get as much of the tannin’s from the oak, Gin has a light body and doesn’t bring too many competing flavours to the table, and so woody nuttiness can really shine through. When using oak or barrels, it is vital to retain some of the characteristics of the gin and not drown it in toast, smoke, vanilla & caramel”

If you would like to sample our limited edition oak aged gin order yours over on our website.

Limited Edition Oak Aged Gin

Why have we Oak Aged our Burrell’s Dry Gin?

What does it taste like?

Oak Ageing Isn't New

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