Martin Miller’s
Martin Miller’s – Langley’s Distillery :40%ABV
Botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, orange peel, lemon peel, lime oil, orris root, cassia, nutmeg, liquorice, cucumber distillate
Flavour profile: citrus
Garnish: orange
Martin Miller’s was launched in 1999 after dearth of quality gins was identified by Martin Miller, the creator of Miller’s Antiques price guide. It was a daring move as it pre-dated the gin boom and created a new market segment, super- premium gin.
As the company itself says, “England distilled, Iceland chilled”. The distillation takes place in England and the resultant spirit is shipped to Iceland where it is blended with pure Icelandic spring water, bottled and sent back to the UK. A unique process, to say the least.
The nose is fresh, clean and citrus based.
At this point I have to admit that I came in late to Martin Miller’s due mostly to my strange, to some, aversion to all things cucumber. I was reassured that the cucumber distillate was minimal and not used as a flavouring, but as a ‘drying agent’ to the finish. I wish I had known this earlier. Tasted neat this is a citrus lead gin with coriander spice following, all overlaid with fresh, crisp juniper. The finish is long with citrus and fruit persisting.
Mixed with tonic, a more floral taste emerges. I thought I detected a touch of cucumber or watermelon but it might be my mind playing games with my taste buds! Citrus is still there in spades, so much so that a garnish is optional.
This is a versatile gin that works as well in a cocktail as it does in a G&T. It is a medium priced gin but certainly not a medium quality one. The only surprise with Martin Miller’s is why it isn’t as widely known as some of its price point competitors; it should be.
