An unusual and intriguing gin from South African distillery, KWV.

KWV, which stands for “Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Suid-Afrika”, is best known for producing brandies from top notch South African grapes, but that doesn’t stop them from creating a fantastic gin or two.

A truly unique spirit, Cruxland Gin was made with a base of grape spirit, and infused with 8 botanicals, including: juniper, cardamom, lemon, aniseed, almond, coriander, rooibos and honeybush (the final two being classic African ingredients). The most important flavouring, however, is without doubt the Kalahari truffle.

The story goes that KWV’s Master of Brandy took a trip to the Kalahari desert, where he came across the truffle, and also came to the conclusion it would be perfect for flavouring a gin. A rather ugly looking fungus, the truffle certainly tastes better than it looks.

The spirit was distilled in a 500 litre pot still, with most of the botanicals infused in a teabag. The Kalahari truffle, with its delicate flavour, is distilled separately. After the two distillations runs, the spirits are combined, and diluted with additional grape spirit and water.

The result is an unique, herbal and vegetal gin. Cruxland Dry opens with a big, forest like profile, accompanied by liquorice, bittersweet juniper, and fragrant, rather sweet, truffle. Some earthy spice notes of coriander and cardamom round out the spirit, with a little redbush tea and brightening citrus to finish.

Truly a gin with a difference, which expresses itself as drying and refreshing when paired with tonic.

• Distillery / brand
  Cruxland
• Country
  South Africa
• Bottler
  Distillery Bottling
• SKU
  043130