Tasting Notes: Tarsier Dry & Tarsier Pink (January 2022 Subscriptions)

The happy couple

Ahoy there shipmates! Welcome to the New Year!

I hope you all had a jolly nice Christmas and that you got to spend time with your family or friends. However, your shore leave is now over and you are expected to return to the Nautilus so we may continue on our voyage.

Do you have any new year’s resolutions? If so, you’re following a tradition longer than you might expect. 4000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians were ushering in the new year, which for them started in March, with resolutions and a party. A 12 day party. Enjoy your bank holiday Monday, 21st century losers. 

And so, my shipmates, I suggest you resolve yourself to try this month’s wonderful cargo courtesy of Tarsier.

The delightful pair Tim and Sherwin were inspired by their backpacking adventures in South East Asia. Upon their return they wanted to combine their passion for gin with their love of the food they experienced travelling. Ever since, they’ve been making it in their distillery in Manchester. 10% of the Tarsier’s profits go to conservation projects for the primate of the same name which adorns their eye-catching bottle.

Tarsier Dry

Although Tarsier uses some classical gin botanicals, it’s the signature botanicals that give it its unique Eastern flavour, specifically calamansi (a citrus fruit found in the Philippines), Thai sweet basil, galangal and kampot pepper from Cambodia.

So, my oceanic adventurers, pour yourself a glass of this Eastern promise.

On the nose, you’ll find a pleasing blend of juniper and the lime-like aroma of the calamansi. On the palate it’s very citrus forward with herbaceous notes but it really stands apart from other citrus forward gins I’ve tried. Finally there’s a delightfully peppery finish.

For the mixers you’ve got Indian tonic and, a favourite of mine for citrus forward gins, cucumber and watermelon tonic. For garnish, I’ve included some thai basil and ginger but don’t go overboard - a thin slice of ginger will do. 

Tarsier Pink

Their pink gin also uses Eastern flavours, in this case lychee, red dragonfruit, galangal, and calamansi, to give it a unique spin

On the nose, you’ll find a pleasing blend of juniper and raspberry. On the palate that tartness from the raspberry is still there, accompanied by the floral notes of the dragon fruit. Finally there’s a warm spiced finish. 

For the mixers you’ve got Indian tonic and lemonade. For garnish, I’ve included a lime and some mint.

I’ll bid you farewell now to enjoy your drink without me.