Darnley’s View and Darnley’s Spiced Gin Tasting Notes

Darnley’s View gin has a close history with the company Wemyss Malts. A gin close with whisky? Apparently in 1565, Mary Queen of Scots first spies her future husband, Lord Darnley through the courtyard window of Wemyss Castle, the historic family seat of renowned vintners and spirits merchants, the Wemyss family. So to celebrate this occasion, Darnley’s View gin was created.

A small batched gin with only 6 botanicals – elderflower, juniper, lemon peel, coriander seed, angelica root and orris root, it’s traditionally distilled within a pot still of a neutral grain spirit that has been distilled four times. Classed as a London Dry Gin, purified water reduces the gin to a strength of 40%.

So how does it fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes on the two expressions available –

Darnley’s View – 40%

A great mix of the 6 botanicals on the nose, with the lemon peel and coriander being at the front while the others swirl at the back. On the palate, a fresh juniper hit mellows rather quickly into a lemon zest hit and then slowly involves a smooth finish of orris root. The use of angelica root leaves a dryness on the tongue.

Darnley’s View Spiced – 42.7%

A soft mix of cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose, with the ginger and cloves making an appearance soon after. Very smooth on the palate with a growing spice of coriander and nutmeg followed by the cumin leaving a dry finish. Lingers well.

Both Darnley’s View expressions are great on their own, but the use in cocktails maybe?

The Lord Darnley

Glass –

Champagne Saucer

Ingredients –

50 ml Darnley’s View
dash Elderflower Cordial
dash Fevertree Tonic Water
dash Limoncello
dash Angostura Bitters

Method –

In a mixing glass filled with cubed ice, add the Elderflower, Tonic, Limoncello and Bitters coating the ice. Stir and drain off any excess liquid. Add the Gin and stir until well chilled and suitably diluted. Double strain into glass straight up. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry

Darnley’s View is no stranger to awards either, winning the gold medal in the premium gin category in the Spirit Business Magazine’s Gin Masters 2011 as well as winning the Master Award at the Travel Masters 2010 series.

You can purchase a bottle of either of the Darnley’s View gin’s here.