East London Liquor Company extends barrel-aged gin initiative

British distiller East London Liquor Company has released a new gin which is aged in ex-cider barrels and ex-ginger beer barrels.

The company has taken its London dry gin and aged it in barrels from fellow Hackney brand Square Root Soda.

With an ABV of 42%, the beverage is said to have fresh juniper and red apple flavours, giving way to spicier notes of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom.

This is the second barrel-aged gin released by East London Liquor Company this year and is a part of an on-going programme. Throughout the year, the distillery will continue to release various iterations of barrel-aged gin, highlighting the range of casks in its maturation room.

Launched in January 2016, the initiative has seen the distiller age its gin in a selection of casks such as new French oak, ex-Sonoma rye, ex-sherry, ex-white wine, ex-bourbon and ex-peated, with ABVs ranging from 41% to 55%.

East London Liquor Company’s London dry gin is distilled using 100% British wheat spirit infused with fresh lemon and grapefruit peel, coriander, angelica root, juniper berries, cubeb berries and cardamom.

Founded by Alex Wolpert, East London Liquor Company began distilling in July 2014. It found its home in the disused industrial space of a former glue factory in Bow Wharf, on the corner of the East End’s Victoria’s Park.

The firm now produces a minimum of 12,000 bottles per month and distills and imports a range of spirits aimed as much for bartenders as for at-home consumers.