Test & Review: Needle Gin, the Spirit of the Black Forest
Needle Gin
Germany
It was just 40 km from Strasbourg, in the heart of the
German Black Forest, that the Bimmerle distillery was founded in 1966. Today
managed by the third generation, the company prioritizes regional products,
strives to minimize its energy consumption, and continuously invests in
eco-responsible manufacturing processes. These strong commitments, combined
with the creation of unique, high-quality spirits, place the distillery at the
very top tier in Germany as well as across European markets.
In 2016, it launched the production of its gin named Needle, a title paying direct homage to its main ingredient: spruce needles.
That is what brings us together today to share our tasting notes, experienced as a family with my daughter, my partner, and myself.
It feels strange to talk to you about the Black Forest and its beautiful expanses of spruce, while the High Fens in Belgium have been ablaze for days, leaving the region’s air smelling of nothing but smoke and desolation.
Let’s try, however, to immerse ourselves in a more positive moment. Think back to your walks through spruce woods: it smells of crisp fresh air, resin, damp earth, and distinctly of a "Christmas tree". That is exactly what Needle Gin delivers.
To achieve this result,
the master distillers revived an old recipe from 1799. It combines hand-picked
spruce needles with other local botanicals. Distillation takes place in single
batches to ensure absolute quality before the final stage: bottling.
Before moving on to the tasting, let's take a look at its
composition. Naturally, we find juniper berries, coriander, and angelica, which
form the classic gin base. Added to this foundation are lavender, ginger,
lemon, orange, allspice, and cinnamon. As for the famous spruce needles, they
are incorporated during the distillation process. On paper, we have a gin that
is simultaneously fresh, floral, and warming, evocative of a stroll through a
coniferous forest right after the rain.
Nose:
The first nose (on a neat 2 cl sample) reveals a distinct
juniper dominance, backed in the background by spruce needles and pine resin.
Next, the citrus notes unfold and build, accompanied by floral hints of
lavender and gentle spices.
Palate:
The entry is boldly woody and resinous, placing the spruce
front and center, closely followed by the juniper. Citrus then brings a lovely
freshness, rounded out by a touch of peppery zest. Overall, it proves balanced,
full-bodied, and remarkably smooth.
Finish:
The finish is dry, spicy, and long-lasting. The spruce
remains present, joined by subtle bitter notes of citrus peel, along with a
lingering warmth driven by ginger and cinnamon.
Gin & Tonic Pairing:
Mixing 5 cl of gin with 15 cl of neutral tonic water gently
softens the spirit without muting its aromas. The tonic simply eases the
sharpness of the palate entry and makes the finish slightly less dry.
Conclusion:
An excellent gin with distinctive flavors that bring genuine
depth to the tasting experience. Aurora and Wendy found it very refreshing,
rich, and pleasantly floral-spiced. For her part, Wendy deemed it incomparable
to another spruce needle gin she had previously tasted.
Guide Price (France & Belgium): Around €20 for a
50 cl bottle (observed between €18.95 and €22.50 depending on the retailer).