A brief history of gin
Gin dates back to the Middle Ages, when it originated as a medicinal liquor made by monks and alchemists across Europe, particularly in Italy and the Netherlands. The spirit evolved from ‘genever’, a juniper-flavoured liquor created by Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius in the 16th century.
During the 17th century, King William III, who was of Dutch origin, popularised the drink in England, leading to the Gin Craze in the early part of the 18th century which saw a dramatic increase in gin consumption in Britain, partly due to relaxed distillation laws and cheap prices.
The negative social impact of the Gin Craze prompted regulatory measures, such as the Gin Acts of the 18th century, which sought to curb excessive drinking. Over time, the quality of gin improved, with the development of the London Dry style in the 19th century. Today, gin enjoys renewed popularity, spurred by the craft spirits movement and innovative new flavours and botanicals.
The story of Altitude Alpine Dry Gin
It all started at Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in 2017, when Tim Welch and Pat Venning created their first batch of Altitude Gin. With a borrowed still in a wooden mazot at the foot of Mont Blanc, they created something spectacular. Local gin soirées followed, the Chamoniards were captivated, and it was time to share Altitude Gin with the world.
“We also wanted to share our love of the mountains,” says Tim. “We all know they need a hand right now, so we’re committed to giving back and joining forces with others to help preserve and protect them. We all want to enjoy what’s in our bottles today, but we also want our planet’s peaks to see new adventures and even braver footprints tomorrow.”
Tasting notes
The myrtille, elderflower and essence of pine from the foothills of the Alps are blended with five other carefully selected botanicals: juniper berries, coriander seed, sweet orange peel, green cardamom and angelica root.
The result is a genuine taste of the mountains. The gin combines the fresh sharpness of pine, coriander and citrus with the fruity and floral notes of myrtille and elderflower. This enchanting blend evokes an alpine meadow, leaving a lingering earthy aftertaste of angelica root on the finish. Perfect with a classic Indian tonic water.
Altitude Alpine Strawberry Pink Gin
The pink iteration captures the essence of summer with the flavours of alpine strawberries harvested from the foothills of the Alps. This gin perfectly balances the crisp, juniper notes of the original Alpine Dry Gin with the subtle sweetness of alpine strawberries. Enjoy the aroma of summer on the nose and a light, delicate gin on the palate.
Find out more on the Altitude Alpine Dry Gin website.
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