Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
Empress 1908 is an eight-botanical modern-style gin that pairs subtle Juniper flavor with Butterfly Pea Blossom, which gives this product its distinct indigo color and changes shade depending on the mixing. Victoria Distillers make Empress Gin in Sidney on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The inspiration for this product comes from the afternoon tea service at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel, located 30 minutes south of the distillery in Victoria. The Fairmont Empress signature tea is one of the eight botanicals used in this gin, and the blend is a selection of seasonal teas created exclusively by the Metropolitan Tea Company. The production process starts with macerating six botanicals overnight before the distillation. The Empress Blend Tea and Butterfly Pea Blossom are infused post-distillation to maintain delicate flavors and signature indigo color. Finally, no artificial colors or stabilizers are used, and this product is bottled at 85 proof (42.5 % ABV).
Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
The Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose is a nine-botanical gin with all-natural color. It is Victoria Distillers first line extension from the original Indigo Gin. This product was inspired by and pays homage to Victoria, British Columbia, called "The City of Gardens" because the flowers bloom nearly year-round. Eight botanicals, including cinnamon bark, coriander, elderflower, juniper, lavender, orange peel, orris root, and red rose petals are macerated overnight before the distillation. The rose petals and black carrots are infused post-distillation to maintain their delicate flavors and striking ruby color, and then the final product is bottled at 85 proof (42.5 % ABV). In addition to color, the black carrot adds a layer of sweetness with an earthy complexity. No artificial colors or stabilizers are used, so while the flavor will last forever, the unique ruby color will fade over time. Fading accelerates by exposure to sunlight, so the brand recommends that you consume each bottle within a year of purchase and store it in a cool, dark place.
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