Martin Miller’s Gin Story of Romance, Adventure & Illogical Love

If 3/4 of your G&T is tonic, you’d better make sure it is good tonic. And if 60% of your gin is water, you’d better get the purest there is. Martin Miller travels all the way to Iceland to get his. Could this be why this gin won more top medals than any other in the past 10 years? Nah, there’s more to it…

The Story

In 1999 Mr. Martin Miller and his two friends embarked on a mission to save the world from bad quality gin. They set up a distillery in England’s “Black Country” and set off on a quest to create the first modern-day hight quality gin blending tradition with genius. So, what is this genius about? First, the distillation.

Like all the good gins, Martin Miller uses the methods and techniques of the ‘old school’ gin makers, sticking rigidly to their trusted ways and range of botanicals. But here is the trick… separate distillation in the same iconic still, Angela. The Michelin Star chef of gin, found that distilling dried peels of the citrus fruits separate from the more earthy cassia, juniper and coriander yields more balanced gin with brighter citrus notes.

But Miller’s genius does not stop here. His love for adventure took him to the “Land of Fire and Ice” just to chill his gin.

 

The Water In Martin Miller’s Gin

Iceland is a land of myths and legends that date back to the days of the Vikings. To this day, it is common belief that 1 in 500 inhabitants is either an elf or troll. We are not really sure if the curious Mr. Miller explored Iceland to meet the “hidden people” or find the purest water. We’ll also never know if he had the pleasure of seeing an elf but certainly fell in love with Borganes – a stunning fjord on Iceland’s West Coast.

The sparkling bright, extra pure water here rises to see the light for the first time from the depths of the basalt mountains. No distillation or demineralisation is needed to use this “live water” – Icelanders believe, it would kill its “life force”. Luckily, no murder was committed, Mr. Miller found that after blending the water stayed pristine and soft as ever.

The result? A delicious gin with its characteristic soft, gentle bouquet and mouthfeel.

 

The Original Martin Miller’s Gin

This gin tastes of real gin, not ‘of some highly flavoured confection’ in Mr. Miller words.

The 9 botanicals, double distillation technique and Icelandic water make a gin that is soft on the palate in which the predominant taste of juniper is pleasantly complemented with a hint of citrus.

The alcohol base for the gin distillate is grain neutral alcohol made from 100% English wheat. The botanicals are sourced from all over the world with one prerogative, only the best of the best is used.

Martin Miller’s gin is seriously good, and we are not the only ones who think this. It grew to become the world’s largest independent brand and most awarded gin ever. From 2003 to 2015 it held BTI’s highest ever gin score of 97pt. It is perfect in a G&T and to make a tasty Martini.

G&T Recipes

A (Chilly) Winter Warmer

• 25ml Martin Miller’s Gin
• 60-100ml Ginger Ale
• Star anise to garnish

Fill a chilled copa glass with ice cubes and pour the gin over them. Add the mixer and the star anise. Wait a couple of minutes for the star anise to release its flavour, give it a twist and enjoy!

 

 

19:05 G&T

• 25ml Martin Miller’s Gin
• 50-75ml 19:05 Herbal Tonic
• Lime peel and a slice of peach to garnish

Fill a chilled copa glass with ice cubes and pour the gin over them. Add the herbal tonic, stir gently and try it. Very unusual – but so good! Add the peach and lime peel to make the flavour even bolder.

 

 

The Martin Miller’s G&T

• 50ml Martin Millers Gin Premium
• Elderflower Tonic
• Quartered Strawberry
• A pinch of crushed pepper

Fill a copa glass with lots of ice and pour the gin over it. Add the the quartered strawberry and the lightly crushed pepper. Top with the tonic and give it a gentle stir.

 

 

 

 

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