British gin distiller, Silent Pool Distillers, has announced the launch of its brand-new expression, Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin. Made from the purest black juniper, the rare botanical is sustainably sourced from the undiscovered jewel in the land of the thunder dragon, Bhutan.
The multi-stage production process of Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin celebrates Bhutanese heritage, specifically the fragrant smoke, juniper and tea elements associated with the Himalayan Puja ritual – a ceremony for climbers and sherpas beginning an intrepid climb to the summit of a mountain.
Production begins by smoking the Black Juniper with oud, followed by the maceration process which uses carefully selected botanicals including Coriander, Voatsiperifery, Grains of Paradise, and the warming spices of Tasmanian Mountain Pepper.
Rare teas are added to optimise flavour complexity; this includes tea from the “Abode of Clouds” – a median between Assam and Darjeeling teas- which is inherently light and floral with deep notes of caramel and malt. Scarce Himalayan black tea is sourced from the exquisite Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden from Nepal – one of the highest known tea plantations in the world.
Nepalese Cherry Blossom, manuka and olive leaves develop the blend further, before a final infusion of oud takes place to match the intensity of aromas with the depth of Black Juniper’s natural essential oils. A well-rounded amalgamation of distinctive flavours begins to emerge, from pine-rich juniper to perfumed and smoky pepper notes .
A masterclass in innovative contemporary gin distillation, Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin presents a truly rich and luxurious complexity steeped in cultural purpose.
Located at the edge of the Himalayan mountains, Bhutan is the only carbon-negative country in the world and home to the purest air in the world, allowing the black juniper berries to develop and ripen in abundance, packed with powerful essential oils.
Not only acting as a bold innovation in the gin industry, but also a nod to sustainable practices at large, Black Juniper Gin has been developed in harmony with Bhutanese Buddhist environmental beliefs. In a celebration of protecting the world around us, Silent Pool Distillers has worked closely with the community of local foragers to optimise the crop by leaving some berries on the evergreen shrubs to encourage future growth of this scarce “black jewel”.
A genuinely masterful blend, Black Juniper Gin introduces the palate to some of the most complex ingredients in the world with considered and delicate layering. Creating a new wave of versatility for gin, Silent Pool Black Juniper can take classic serves to new heights and transport you from the quintessential hills of Surrey, to the formidable Himalayan mountains in the Kingdom of Bhutan: a beautiful celebration of classic dry gin with contemporary ideas.
Rhian Billington, marketing director of Silent Pool Distillers, commented: “Genuinely innovative projects are integral to us here at Silent Pool Distillers. Working closely with Michael Rutland OBE, the United Kingdom’s Honorary Consul in Bhutan, this private commission of Black Juniper berries has allowed us to create a truly remarkable gin expression that exceeds the expectation of our discerning customers and fellow gin producers alike. It was also important to us that we could incorporate Bhutanese culture into each step of Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin’s production and we are excited to see the reaction to this truly remarkable spirit from Silent Pool Distillers, and where it may lead us to as an independent gin distillery.”
