Gin Advent Calendar: A Three-Day Catch-Up (Days 7, 8 & 9)

After a brief, illness-induced hiatus, we're back. And we're behind. To get back on track with the Gin Advent Calendar, we tackled two days in one go. Tech issues mean I’m a day late getting this one uploaded. Then, MrsVark was out of action again, so I was joined by a new, rather quiet, colleague for Day 9.

It’s a session of highs, lows, and... mannequins.

Days 7 & 8: The Catch-Up

Watch the video:

Day 7: Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale

Gin: Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale
ABV: 41.3%
Style: Flavoured Gin

First up was a vibrant, purple-hued gin from Tanqueray. On paper, a blackcurrant gin sounds perfectly pleasant. In practice, it didn't quite agree with MrsVark's tasting technique. Let's just say inhaling gin vapour is not a recommended approach and the experience was almost cut short. I found it a touch too sweet, reminiscent of a melted ice lolly, but not bad. This was more like a gin liquer than a straight gin. Maybe one for the cocktails.

Verdict: 6/10 – One for those who enjoy their gin with a side of Ribena.

Day 8: Bathtub Gin

Gin: Bathtub Gin (Ableforth's)
ABV: 43.3%
Style: Cold Compounded Gin

Thankfully, Day 8 brought a return to form. Bathtub Gin is a modern classic. It's a 'cold compounded' gin, meaning the botanicals are infused after distillation, which gives it a more pronounced flavour profile. MrsVark was a fan immediately, and rightly so. It's a proper gin, with a bold, clean flavour. Exactly what was needed to restore faith in the calendar.

Verdict: 9/10 – A resounding success.

Day 9: A New Co-Host

MrsVark was out of action again for Day 9, so I was joined by my work colleague, Glenn. He's a man of few words and can't hold his booze, but he's good company.

Watch the video:

Day 9: Boatyard Sloe Gin

Gin: Boatyard Sloe Gin
ABV: 30% (Assumed, typical for sloe gin)
Style: Sloe Gin

I'm a big fan of sloe gin, but this one had a high bar to clear: my dad's homemade version. This was a good effort. It's not quite Grandpa Taylor's, but it's a very pleasant, drinkable sloe gin that I could happily buy a bottle of. A definite win.

Verdict: 8/10 – Not quite the best, but very good indeed.

Photo: Nine empty small glass bottles of gin arranged in a row on a dark wooden surface, displayed in front of two framed photographs. Each bottle has a black screw cap and cream-coloured label. From left to right, the labels read: "DRINKS BY THE DRAM Sipsmith Raffles 1915 Gin", "DRINKS BY THE DRAM Gordon's Sicilian Lemon Gin", "Tanqueray London Dry Gin", "DRINKS BY THE DRAM Darnley's Navy Strength - Spiced London Dry Gin", "THAT BOUTIQUE-Y GIN COMPANY Moonshot Gin London Dry Gin", "EDINBURGH GIN Raspberry Gin", "Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin", "Bathtub Gin 43.3% ALC/VOL", and "DRINKS BY THE DRAM Boatyard Sloe Boat Sloe Gin". Behind the bottles on the left sits an ornate dark wooden frame containing a 25-year-old photograph of an 8-year-old girl with a small crown and a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat, both in red tops. To the right is a light blue frame containing a photograph of two people in formal dress - one wearing a burgundy ball gown and the other in dark formal wear - standing in a garden with lattice fencing and foliage behind them. The scene is set against a textured cream wall.

The Running Tally

Day 1 (Sipsmith's): Solid start – 8/10
Day 2 (Gordon's Lemon): Cleaning product disaster – 2/10
Day 3 (Tanqueray): Respectable recovery – 7/10
Day 4 (Darnley's Navy Strength): Quality gin, questionable timing – 7/10
Day 5 (Moonshot Gin): A low-energy but decent gin – 7/10
Day 6 (Edinburgh Raspberry): A house divided – 7.5/10
Day 7 (Tanqueray Blackcurrant): Cocktail ingredient – 6/10
Day 8 (Bathtub Gin): Excellent – 9/10
Day 9 (Boatyard Sloe Gin): Very good indeed - 8/10

Success Rate: 85% (six good, one average, one miss)

We're back on schedule, and morale has been restored. Let's see what Day 10 brings.