Portobello Road Gin Expands to Texas
I haven’t been a gin drinker for very long, but I’m quickly coming around on the spirit. So when I received an invite to sample Portobello Road Gin and its famed “The Ginstitute” as the brand toured through the United States, I couldn’t miss out. I mean, would you turn down the chance to sample some tasty cocktails while munching on a variety of small plate appetizers? I didn’t think so.
But First, Let’s Talk a Little Gin
Portobello Road Gin has a juniper-forward profile, but you’ll also get notes of eight additional botanicals. Everything is here, from lemon, bitter orange and coriander to a sweet peppery finish courtesy of licorice and nutmeg, and it’s all delicious. And at 42% ABV, as Samuel L. Jackson once said, “It’ll get you drunk!”
The gin was initially developed at the aptly named The Ginstitute above the Portobello Star Pub in London. The Ginstitute is home to a 30L alembic still named Copernicus the Second (my goodness, all of these names are so wonderful), and has plenty of gin memorabilia. If you’re ever in London, you can take a history class on gin and walk away with a customized full-size bottle – after developing your own bespoke gin. I’m visiting London in May and am very excited to make this happen. I’d say that’s a humble brag, but ain’t nothin’ humble about it.
A Taste of The Ginstitute
To help promote the brand, Portobello Road Gin is embarking on a trip throughout the U.S. Drinkers get the opportunity to learn more about gin and smell and taste a variety of spices like nutmeg and coriander. My nose has never worked harder. Tom Coates, Portobello Road Gin’s Brand Director, walked us through the elements that go into creating gin.
“The Ginstitute has built brand advocates for life,” Coates said. “And it’s not even set up as a Portobello gin course. It’s set up as a make your own gin course. We’ve had 45,000 people making their own gin. That’s incredible.”
My personal favorite cocktail was the Electric Cinema – I wish I could tell you what was in it, though I foolishly forgot to ask since I was too busy enjoying it. Perhaps a picture will suffice:
In addition to launching Portobello Road Gin here in Texas (one of eight locations that have it in the U.S.), the company also recently introduced The Distillery. This massive four-story building is part bar, museum, store, and hotel. It’s also where visitors can take classes at The Ginstitute and become full-time Ginterns in the art of drinking well.
It’s a pretty spectacular building, don’t you think?
Moral of the story: Portobello Road Gin is one of the tastier gins I’ve tried, both on its own and as the base for a cocktail. And I’m not even just saying that because they filled me with food and drink. Give ’em a try and check out The Ginstitute here.
