They say good things come to those who wait. Well, I’ve just received something very good and I didn’t even know I was waiting for it. Which is just as well, as it would have been a very, very long wait! For I’ve just received 6 O’Clock Gin‘s new Five Year Aged Sloe Gin!

Whereas most commercial sloe gins are aged for a few months, 6 O’Clock gin aged their flagship London Dry on sloe fruit for five full years to produce this limited-edition batch of 1000 bottles. As a result, Five Year Aged Sloe Gin has a darker, richer colour than the ruby red we tend to expect, as well as a deeper flavour as Master Distiller, Edward Kain, explains.

“The longer you leave it, the more colour and flavour is extracted from the sloes. I knew if the gin was left on the sloes for a very long time it would eventually start to oxidise. During this oxidisation process the Sloe Gin would darken and lose all its tartness, becoming ‘lush’ like a vintage tawny port – rich, mellow and full of flavour”

This bottle may be small (and at £50 for 35cl pretty darn expensive too) but it is every bit as stunning as their larger bottles and really shows off the deep colour of the gin too.

The inviting nose does indeed smell of port but with the familiar aroma of juicy sloes and marzipan. To taste this is divine! Five Year Aged Sloe Gin is neither too sweet nor remotely viscous, but it coats the tongue nicely and has a pleasingly long finish. With scrumptious sloes and almond notes, this is rich and deep with a slightly fruity tangy edge on the finish. Smooth, rounded and warming this is the perfect winter treat. And though you could mix it with prosecco or bitter lemon, frankly I wouldn’t bother!

Read my earlier review of 6 O’Clock Gin’s London Dry, Sloe Gin and Damson Gin here, 6 O’Clock Gin Brunel Edition Gin here and 6 O’Clock Jekka’s Edition here. Read my latest review of Romy’s Edition Mango, Ginger and Lime here.

Pre-order Five Year Aged Sloe Gin here at £50 for 35cl (25% ABV) from Monday 12th November 2018. First orders will be shipped the following week.

With thanks to Maria Badel, Head of Marketing at 6 O’Clock Gin, for the complimentary bottle of Five Year Aged Sloe Gin.