Camden Lock has its part in the history of gin, seen in the mid-18oo’s as one of the significant areas in London to create, bottle and export gin. Around 20 acres were owned by the likes of W&A Gilbey Ltd, utilising the waterways and trains to ferry their cargo across the UK and beyond. Over time though, the locks were abandoned and fell into disrepair, until Mark Holdsworth stumbled upon the history, gaining his inspiration into creating a gin that would tip the hat to the forgotten era.
Half Hitch gin, born and bred in an old Victorian vault located right next to one of the biggest former gin warehouses, the Interchange Building, offers up a slice of old London, using the name of the strong rope knot that many barges used on the locks to moor up with.
To create his gin, Mark uses three different methods: copper pot distillation, vacuum distillation and hand crafted tinctures. He uses 100% British grain spirit within, and utilises botanicals such as Malawian black tea, Calabrian bergamot from Southern Italy, wood, hay and pepper.
But how does it fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes –
Half Hitch – 40%
A sweet, floral note on the nose, followed by delicate rose and lavender. Sharp lemon rind hits the palate on first taste, with a bold, fresh lavender profile coming through. Earth notes follow alongside a striking citrus kick that leads to a long fresh finish.
A good base gin for their signature serve too –
Half Hitch Twisted Martini
Glass –
Tumbler
Ingredients –
50 ml Half Hitch Gin
Orange Peel
Method –
Pour over ice in a tumbler glass and garnish with orange peel.
“Sir Winston is quoted as saying “Glance at the vermouth bottle briefly while pouring the juniper distillate freely”. Hence, no vermouth in this Martini. This version takes one step further. No shake, no stir, just on the rocks.” source, http://www.halfhitch.london
A great gin that opens up the history of Camden Lock with a respectable brand, bringing focus on its unique blend of botanicals. Something different for your drinks cabinet.
© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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