Review: Renais Reserve Familiale Gin

Renais is a luxury gin brand in the UK that’s so fancy they released a limited edition bottle featuring artwork from Emma Watson. On a recent trip to London the brand was kind enough to send me a sample of the gin — in the boring old normal person bottle, mind you — which I dutifully carted back to the U.S. for review. As far as I can tell it isn’t available on our shores.

Renais is made as an homage to Burgundy in France, distilled from salvaged Grand Cru grape skins collected after being pressed to make wine. Botanicals include (but may not be limited to) juniper, grains of paradise, linden flowers, and acacia honey.

Golden yellow in color, the gin has the appearance of a cocktail that’s ready to drink, but the nose is classic London dry — heavy, biting juniper with a sultry angelica earthiness underneath. It’s very peppery with mild notes of anise and less distinct florals, largely dried, to wind things up.

On the palate, the gin is a powerhouse. Fans of modern, more gossamer gins will laugh in the face of Renais. Powerful notes of juniper, rosemary, and thyme give the gin an immediate punch of green herbs, as piney as a walk amongst the evergreens can be. The drinker is in for some surprises, however, as a brisk citrus quality soon becomes clear, followed by a growing, insistent sweetness. The acacia honey in the mix is no joke, providing a soothing backbone against which the aggressive herbal notes can find some rest. The finish is lightly sweet and tinged with florals again, making for a spirit that is delightful on its own but also a natural companion with tonic.

80 proof.

A / £50 / renais.co.uk

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