McQueen And The Violet Fog Gin

McQueen and the Violet Fog Gin. Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil — a citrus-forward Brazilian gin distilled with 21 botanicals in a traditional copper pot still, built on a sugarcane spirit base, with six botanicals rarely found in gin including calamansi, açaí, basil, rosemary, fennel seed, and star anise.

McQueen and the Violet Fog takes its name from a poem — a piece of writing about a mystical encounter whose final stanzas appear on the back of every bottle. The gin itself was conceived in the hills of Jundiaí, in São Paulo state, where the founders set out to create a gin that reflected the biodiversity and botanical richness of Brazil rather than mimicking European styles. The base spirit is 100% Brazilian sugarcane — a nod to the region's cachaça tradition — giving the finished gin a subtly different mouthfeel than grain-based spirits.

The 21 botanicals are distilled using two methods simultaneously: maceration for the more robust botanicals, and vapor infusion for the six rare botanicals — calamansi (a citrus from the South Pacific), açaí (native to Brazil), star anise (from Vietnam), Mediterranean fennel seed, Portuguese rosemary, and Indian basil — to extract their volatile aromatics without harsh extraction. The result is a gin recognized by GQ Magazine as one of their very best, and one that earned international awards across multiple competitions. Smooth, citrus-forward, and tropically complex.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fresh and complex — lemongrass, basil, and jasmine upfront with hints of tropical fruit. Juniper and rosemary weave through, with calamansi providing a distinct citrus brightness unlike lemon or lime.
• Palate: Smooth and velvety. Juniper leads with citrus and apple butter before rosemary delivers a burst of freshness. Fennel seed and star anise add peppery spice, while a subtle açaí note contributes earthy depth. Lemon, tangerine, and a touch of liquorice develop mid-palate.
• Finish: Long and balanced with lingering juniper, herb, and a gentle tropical sweetness. Clean through the close.

Specs

• Distillery: Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil
• Style: Contemporary Brazilian Gin
• Base Spirit: 100% Brazilian sugarcane
• Botanicals: 21 including juniper, lemongrass, pomelo peel, jasmine, orris root, basil (India), rosemary (Portugal), fennel seed (Mediterranean), calamansi (South Pacific), star anise (Vietnam), açaí (Brazil), and others
• Distillation: Dual-method: maceration + vapor infusion, copper pot still
• ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does McQueen and the Violet Fog taste like? Smooth and citrus-forward with lemongrass, basil, jasmine, and tropical calamansi on the nose. The palate is velvety with juniper, rosemary, fennel spice, star anise, and a subtle açaí earthiness. The finish is long with juniper, tropical fruit, and a gentle herbal sweetness.
• What is calamansi? Calamansi is a small citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia with a flavor somewhere between lime, lemon, and orange. In McQueen, it provides a distinctive citrus brightness unlike any European citrus botanical.
• Why is the base spirit sugarcane? Using Brazilian sugarcane spirit rather than grain neutral spirit gives McQueen a subtly different mouthfeel — slightly smoother and more tropical in character — while keeping the gin category designation, as the predominant flavor remains juniper.
• What cocktails is McQueen best in? Outstanding in a G&T where its citrus and tropical character shines. Also excellent in an Aviation, a Gimlet, or a gin spritz. The smooth, citrus-forward profile makes it exceptionally approachable for non-gin drinkers.
• What awards has McQueen and the Violet Fog won? Named one of GQ Magazine's very best gins. Also recognized at multiple international spirits competitions for its innovative botanical profile and smooth character.