When I was given a bottle of 24-Carat Gold Gin to try, as a gin fan I was naturally intrigued and excited in equal measures.
Before we get on to how it tasted, let’s be completely honest – this is not your average bottle of gin. It is very, very exclusive and expensive – retailing at £1,250 per bottle 😱🙈.
However, bear with me. This is a really special drink, and if you’re looking for something completely luxurious and unique for that person who has everything, and you can afford it, then this is for you.
To describe this as tasting like liquid gold feels like a cop-out – of course it does, it’s quite literally distilled with gold. But that’s the best way to explain how wonderful a glass of this really is.
Calling it ‘smooth’ doesn’t go far enough. This is like a sliver of silk gliding down your throat, coating your whole insides with lashings of warmth. I felt like Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger as I drank this, as if I was being coated in gold (she didn’t die during the filming of the infamous gold paint scene, by the way).
The brand recommends drinking this neat, and while I never normally would touch gin without tonic, you absolutely can (and should) drink this neat or with ice. At 60% proof it’s more of a liqueur than a G&T moment, and it should be savoured. A special-occasion gin, reserve this for weddings, special birthdays, or maybe even just a Wednesday (especially during Lockdown). If you gift this, the recipient will feel really special.
How is 24-Carat Gin made?
This dry gin is made in a secret location in the UK, in handmade batches. Pure 24-carat gold is distilled into the gin, which is made with pure grain spirit and rich botanicals.
Where can I buy 24-Carat Gin?
The bottle, which features a glass stopper, comes in a leather-bound display case featuring its limited edition number.
www.24caratgin.com
Cocktail recipes for 24-Carat Gold Gin
If you want to make your 24-Carat Gold Gin even more special, mix up one of these cocktails:
RED HOT GOLD
1 oz. 24 Carat Gin
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1 oz. Campari
Pour 24 Carat Gin, Sweet Vermouth and Campari into a chilled old fashioned glass over ice.
Garnish with a twist of orange and serve.
JAMES BOND
3 oz 24 Carat Gin
1 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Lillet Blanc Aperitif
Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir (or, if preparing the Bond way, shake). Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist a slice of lemon peel over the drink, rub along the rim of the glass, and drop it in.
Side note: if you do want to drink this with tonic, it ends up looking a bit like cloudy lemonade, and doesn’t feel quite so luxurious. Still tastes good though.
What to read next:
Sophie Knight is Editor of WhatsTheBest and Contributing Editor for Mother&Baby, Closer, Heat, Yours and Empire websites.