Hayman's Sloe Gin 52 Proof

Hayman's Sloe Gin. Hayman Distillers, Balham, London, England — a traditional English sloe gin liqueur made to a long-standing family recipe, steeping wild hand-harvested English sloe berries in Hayman's London Dry Gin for three to four months with no artificial colors, flavors, or vanilla added.

Sloe gin is one of Britain's oldest spirits traditions — sloe berries, the small tart fruit of the Blackthorn tree, have been steeped in gin every autumn for centuries. The Hayman family has made their version since 1863, and the recipe has remained unchanged: wild English sloe berries, hand-picked in the autumn after the first frosts which lock in the vital sugar and plummy notes, are steeped in Hayman's London Dry Gin for three to four months. The infusion is then blended with just a small amount of natural sugar. No artificial coloring, no vanilla, no additional flavorings. The result is a rich ruby-red liqueur that is genuinely balanced — not too sweet, not too tart — with the Hayman's gin backbone clearly present beneath the fruit.

Hayman's Sloe Gin was named World's Best English Sloe Gin at the World Gin Awards. It's a seasonal spirit by tradition — classically enjoyed at Christmas and on winter walks — but equally excellent as a Sloe Royale with sparkling wine, in a Sloe Gin Fizz, or over ice with soda for a brighter, less formal serve.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Ripe berry aromas dominate — dark plums, cherries, and strawberry, with hints of nutty frangipane and almond, and a subtle spice backdrop from the gin botanicals.
• Palate: Sweet and tart sloe berry with stewed rhubarb and a touch of orange marmalade on the arrival. Rich fruit syrup notes follow with plum, dark cherry, and a touch of marzipan. The Hayman's gin backbone provides a juniper and citrus counterweight.
• Finish: Medium-long with lingering berry sweetness and a gentle tannin-like drying quality. Clean and satisfying with notes of cinnamon, clove, and ginger trailing off.

Specs

• Producer: Hayman Distillers, Balham, London, England
• Style: Traditional English Sloe Gin Liqueur
• Base Gin: Hayman's London Dry Gin
• Fruit: Wild hand-harvested English sloe berries (Blackthorn tree)
• Infusion Period: 3–4 months
• Added Colors or Flavors: None
• ABV: 26% (52 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

Browse our full selection of gin at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Hayman's Sloe Gin taste like? Rich plum, dark cherry, and strawberry on the nose with nutty frangipane. The palate is sweet and tart with stewed rhubarb, orange marmalade, plum, and marzipan, all underpinned by a juniper and citrus gin backbone. The finish is medium-long with lingering berry sweetness and warming spice.
• What is sloe gin? Sloe gin is a traditional British liqueur made by steeping sloe berries — the small, tart fruit of the Blackthorn tree — in gin with sugar. Unlike gin, it is not distilled with the fruit but infused. Sloe gin typically has a lower ABV (around 25–26%) and a rich, ruby-red color from the berries.
• Are Hayman's sloe berries wild-harvested? Yes — Hayman's uses wild English sloe berries hand-picked in the autumn after the first frosts, which concentrate the berries' natural sugars and plummy flavors. No artificial colors or flavors are added.
• What cocktails is Hayman's Sloe Gin best in? Classically enjoyed neat, over ice, or as a Sloe Royale with sparkling wine and a strawberry garnish. Also excellent in a Sloe Gin Fizz (with lemon juice and soda) and in a Blackthorn (with dry vermouth). Works well as a digestif or winter warmer with hot water.
• Has Hayman's Sloe Gin won any awards? Yes — Hayman's Sloe Gin has been named World's Best English Sloe Gin at the World Gin Awards.