Gintossen was lucky enough, to be invited with apx. 15 other guests on friday nov. 17, 2017 to a launch of the 3 new Gins from Nyborg Distilleri - and this turned out to be a really nice evening with equal parts of history, relaxation and tasting of beautiful Gins.....!
Everything was ready for a great evening at Nyborg Distillery, to celebrate the release of their 3 new babies, Mist, Frost and Dew, in style.
The night started out with blender & storyteller Kim Møller-Elshøj welcoming us all, and telling a little about the distillery's history - first the location and buildings, which in 125 years where used as repairshop for the Danish Railroads freightrains and now after several years of decay, was gently and beautifully restored by the distilleris owners, Nikolaj & Niels Rømer, and now stands out as one of Nyborgs most attractive restaurants and distillery.
We were then told a little about the distilleriets previous merits, which is primarily distillation of Rum (Huracán) & Whiskey (Isle of Fionia og "Nyborg Destilleri") - and now also the Gins Mist, Frost & Dew, being the latest challenge taken up by the distillery.
The Distillery have invested i 2 extraordinary beautilful 4000 liter column stills, from German Arnold Holstein, which is commonly known as the Rolls Royce of stills. So far, the 2 lovely stills have been used for producing Whiskey and Rum only - and the 3 new Gins is therefore not develloped or distilled on these stills, but in a smaller still (also from Arnold Holstein) which is located on Ørbæk Brewery not far from Nyborg. The primary reason for this, is found in the fact that cleaning the stills between distillation of Whiskey/Rum and Gin, is a required but huge and timeconsuming task, to avoid the destillates not getting any tastes or notes from each other, as well as the fact, that the production of Gins have not yet reached a size where the huge stills have been required.
After this presentation, we were allowed to taste the 3 new Gins, and it turned out to be Gins with characteristics not seen in many other Gins - but based on a completely new mindset and types, with the ocean and nature and all its ressources as the main inspiration.
The first Gin we tasted, was "Dew" which is the most subtle of the 3, without this in any way being considered negatively - either for this or the 2 other Gins. Dew is a Gin which delivers very subtle notes of citrus, elderflower, cucumber and violets in the nose - besides the required junipers. All the botanicals are beautifully balanced, and none of them really takes a lead and stand out more than the others - but they are all leaving enough space for everyone leaving their impression in turn, when hovering the nose over the product. On the tongue you might notice a small lead by the junipers and citrus, but without they completely take over the expression. Little by little you start sensing the elderflower and violets, while the cucumber keeps hiding in the back (at least for yours truely).
Next up, was "Frost" - and this on the other hand, came on full power both in the nose and mouth. Frost is all about 2 botanicals - peppermint & eucalyptus, and lots of it....! In the nose, you get so much of it, that after a while you almost feel a bit numb - thats how fresh it is in expression. We probably all recognize the "cold" feel you get from a deep breath though your nose, with peppermint(oil), menthol and eucalyptus, which is kinda the same feel you get here, although ofcourse much less powerfull than with the mentioned items - and then added a hint of junipers , which stays in the background in this company. And the same feel is repeated in the mouth - a fresh gust of vind over your tongue, without this in any way feels wrong or too overwhelming, as the espression is really nice balanced, and it is kinda like the two botanicals holds back way before, it get to much. A very exciting Gin which besides working wonders drinking neat, also give you some really nice options and possibilities when used in cocktails.
The last Gin on the table, was "Mist" which again was something completely different, than you have ever had before....! There will probably be those who will be a bit scared by the first impressions being delivered to the nose, which could easily lead your thoughts to the scent of seaweed, mussels and salt from the ocean mixed with the fresh air, when you walk along the beach with the vind coming in from the ocean. Absolutely not a bad thing or scent - but definately not the first thing you expect when hovering your nose over a glass of Gin....! But this is a truely nice example of great craftmanship , where the Gin is built around the story & telling about the oceanand the elements surrounding it, and where the Gin suddenly becomes the same story.
The Gin is a so-called "Gunpowder proof" or "Navy Strength" and delivers 57% vol. in your glass - but despite this, feels very creamy and fat in expression, when hitting the pallets and your tongue. Ofcourse you do get a bit of "alcohol burn" because of the high percentage, but it wears of surprisingly quickly, and leaves a string of expressions from the used botanicals, some of which is junipers, seaweed and saltwort haning on for a while. And then something rare happens, which is the sense of umami and the urge to immidiately wanting more in your mouth! Whether being the seaweed or saltwort - or perhaps both, we cant say. But it testifies of a great expertise as a blender, to be able to create this feel in a "raw" alcohol, which we thinks deserves a great salute and recognition, which in this case goes to Kim Møller-Elshøj who is responsible for the design of the expression of flavour. Huge respect for a job very well done....!!
After tasting the delicious Gins, we were served a lovely dinner, from the distillerys restaurant, which just like the distillery itself, have a very high level of ambitions and fully lives up to it.
Gintossen thanks Nyborgs Distillery for a fantastic evening and we also recommend, that you drop by the café, bar and restaurant in the distillery, which all are able to satisfy your tongue and tummy. We will definately come back to this address, also without getting a invitation like this time ;)
More information on https://nyborgdestilleri.com/
