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Gin: a Drink with History and an Azerbaijani Character

When thinking of gin or drinking it, one might recall a scene from that old British film where the legendary Terry-Thomas, embodiment of English aristocratic composure, plays a character who suddenly loses his hair upon learning that the yacht has run out of gin. His monologue about how this spirit helped build the British Empire was comic, yet it contained a profound truth. Gin is not merely a drink. It is a symbol, the essence of elegance and style which is capable of refreshing and gracing not only one’s taste buds but one’s existence itself. Gin remains an island of refinement, gentle nostalgia and remarkable versatility in the modern world with its relentlessly galloping pace of life and the bustle that consumes everything around us. Or so it seems.

Gin – this ‘spirit of juniper’ – hails from the Netherlands originally, where in the 17th century physician Franciscus Sylvius created a juniper infusion which he called ‘genever’ and meant it as a medicine, actually. True fame, however, found the drink in England, that is, when the Dutch Prince William of Orange ascended the British throne. Gin became a people’s drink, accessible and beloved, so much so that, eventually, its excessive consumption in the 18th century did spawn a veritable social crisis known as the ‘Gin Craze’. It was only with the arrival on the scene of the column distillation technology in the 19th century that London Dry Gin – yes, that one – was born, all clean, aromatic and aristocratic in equal proportions. Gin seems to have conquered the world since then, having become a solid base for countless cocktails and the favourite of connoisseurs of strong spirits.

Interestingly, though gin does owe its specific flavour to juniper berries, modern producers enliven their recipes with dozens of botanical components ranging from citrus to exotic spices. Each winery comes up with a symphony of aromas of its own and this multitudinous diversity is precisely what holds the magic of gin

SAVALAN-ASPI Winery, whilst renowned for its world-class wines already, has now introduced its own gin and this event has proven a genuine revelation for the connoisseurs. SAVALAN Gin is a classic London Dry Gin at 40% alcohol by volume, yet it has a distinct Azerbaijani character. This is the Azerbaijani soul in the classic spirit, if you will. Each sip reveals the citrus freshness of orange, the exotic notes of feijoa, the elegance of red basil and the classic depth of juniper berries. Delicate hints of ginger, pepper and tarragon enrich the flavour and the outcome is a complex, multi-layered aroma that unfolds gradually like a mesmerising Eastern tale would.

SAVALAN-ASPI Winery has succeeded in uniting British gin-making traditions with the richness of Azerbaijani flora. Red basil and tarragon, both favoured so much in the Caucasus, lend the spirit an unmistakable individuality. Feijoa’s tropical sweetness adds an exotic mystique. This is a gin in which one hears echoes of Eastern bazaars, mountain gardens and the warm Caspian wind, and yet for all that it remains faithful to the classic canons of the genre.

SAVALAN Gin is best enjoyed neat, chilled to 8-10°C and with ice, for thus you will fully appreciate the freshness and richness of its botanicals. The coolness will accentuate the citrus notes and impart a smooth, refreshing finish to the spirit. It is, however, equally superb as a base for classic cocktails, a gin and tonic, for instance, where its complex aroma will unfold in a new manner.

Gin is more than merely a drink. It is a moment’s pause in the headlong rush of days, a chance to stop and taste life itself. SAVALAN Gin from SAVALAN-ASPI Winery is a minstrel who bears a special invitation: this minstrel is calling you to join him on a journey from the once-foggy streets of London to the still-sunlit slopes of Azerbaijan, from the austere classicism to Eastern abundance… Try it, and may each sip become for you a small celebration of elegance and style!

 

Best regards,

Fuad Seyidaliyev and Arif Rahimov

Founders and Co-owners of SAVALAN-ASPI Winery

Gin: a Drink with History and an Azerbaijani Character

Date:
15/11/2025

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