Creating gin using flavourings vs Botanicals

[Asos21]

Has anyone got any experience of using synthetic or natural concentrated flavourings for crafting gin from the neutral? Compared to using Botanicals during distillation?

From some research it seems that hendricks use cucumber and rose concentrated flavouring which is actually added post distillation.

It also seems like a good way to incorporate flavours which don't transfer well such as black pepper. Which rarely comes through as peppery after distilling.

Just curious if the flavours muddle more or if they fade over time and what success people have had using flavourings.

I did discover today that herbal tea makes excellent gin. Made a great gin from pukka Elderflower and strawberry tea today.

[howie]

when using the tea, did any astringency come through?
i've used tea when making cider, but i would have thought the tanins wouldn't be good in gin.

[NZChris]

From some research it seems that hendricks use cucumber and rose concentrated flavouring which is actually added post distillation.

I bet they don't. It's much more likely that they make their own cucumber and rose essences by distillation, the same way I did.

[Asos21]

when using the tea, did any astringency come through?
i've used tea when making cider, but i would have thought the tanins wouldn't be good in gin.

No astringency whatsoever but I maybe should have been more clear. The tea I'm talking about didn't actually contain tea or tannins.

A lot of these herbal teas now are just Botanicals. The one I used was literally just Elderflower, strawberry and a couple of other Botanicals but no tea as such.

Green tea does add a lovely earthy grass tone to gin though!

[Asos21]

From some research it seems that hendricks use cucumber and rose concentrated flavouring which is actually added post distillation.

I bet they don't. It's much more likely that they make their own cucumber and rose essences by distillation, the same way I did.

Is their any particular thing wrong with using concentrated flavourings in gin? I honestly don't know and I'm just exploring the idea.

Can you tell me please how you make the rose and cucumber essence Chris? Just curious if it's a concentrated essence and what proportions you use thanks!

[NZChris]

Put the botanical in the boiler or basket with neutral and run it. Blend your result with the rest of your gin to get the intensity you desire. I can't give you proportions because we are not using using the same cucumbers and roses.

[Saltbush Bill]

The tea I'm talking about didn't actually contain tea or tannins.

So really its like the yuppy vegan bacon that contains no bacon, and the almond / soy milk that doesn't come from the the Mammalia class of critters?

[Asos21]

The tea I'm talking about didn't actually contain tea or tannins.

So really its like the yuppy vegan bacon that contains no bacon, and the almond / soy milk that doesn't come from the the Mammalia class of critters?

I'm no veggie but the vegan bacon is actually pretty good. And almond milk makes a divine cappuccino

[Corsaire]

You're proposing to make a compound gin.

Look it up, it's a very old way of doing it, although it's regarded as inferior to distilled and London dry gin.

I've never tried making gin this way, but perhaps with the proper term you can find more leads?

[Rrmuf]

Put the botanical in the boiler or basket with neutral and run it. Blend your result with the rest of your gin to get the intensity you desire. I can't give you proportions because we are not using using the same cucumbers and roses.

Hey Chris,
I gather you use dried or dehydrated cucumbers for this? what proportions do you include per neutral in the boiler ... I know I would need to calibrate with our own cucumber varieties here so I am just looking for an order of magnitude.

[NZChris]

Hey Chris,
I gather you use dried or dehydrated cucumbers for this? what proportions do you include per neutral in the boiler ... I know I would need to calibrate with our own cucumber varieties here so I am just looking for an order of magnitude.

Two 8" cucumbers sliced into 1/4" thick rings.
Sundried for a day, turning once. Leathery, not really dehydrated.
Ran with 500ml triple distilled wheat bran at 40%
No foreshot removed.
Finished up with 225ml of 69.4%

[Rrmuf]

Thanks Chris. It might end up being my first "essence"