Italian bartenders roll out ancient Rome-inspired gin
Filippo Previero and Danilo Tersigni of London-based cocktail bar series Mr Fogg's have launched VII Hills Italian Dry Gin, made from seven botanicals "inspired by ancient Rome".
To create the expression, Italian juniper is combined coriander, angelica root, celery, artichoke, blood orange, rosehip and Roman chamomile, which hail from the seven hills that surround the Italian capital city. The botanicals are infused with a sugar beet neutral spirit and vacuum-distilled, resulting in an "intense and more rounded-out Roman taste and aroma". Each ingredient has been selected for a specific reason: Celery was historically used by Romans too prevent hangovers; coriander was used as a medicine and believed to have aphrodisiac effects; while Roman chamomile was believed to ease feelings of grief or anger. The liquid is said to be "lightly citrusy on the nose", while the palate offers "sweet pomegranate notes with hints of Roman chamomile", balanced by the "earthy freshness of the celery". A statement from co-founders Previero and Tersigni reads: "At the moment gin is not only a spirit, it represents people. A meaningful innovation in the gin category today should start by the receipe, but it will need to involve the whole 'branding', in order to be effective. "In an era of increased awareness, consumers tend to value more high quality ingredients, artisanal techniques, attention to detail, and individuality. The more crafted a gin is, the more interesting the story behind it is. "From a producer's point of view, it is extremely important to be transparent with the audience and to keep authentic the relationship with them. Our aim is to communicate the uniqueness of VII Hills Italian Dry Gin. "Its earthy and citrucy flavour is not only inspired by the Italian cooking traditions, but by the Roman culture itself. The result is an unusual taste, where ancient and modern flavours merge into an unforgettable libation experience." The duo suggest serving VII Hill Italian Dry Gin with Fentimans 1905 Herbal Tonic over ice, garnished with celery. Bottled at 43% abv, the gin is available across the UK at an RRP of £26 plus VAT.
