The sloe gin I laid down in mid-September was decanted into small bottles and offered as gifts to near family, all of whom are of imbibing age. I kept one for myself too. The sloe gin was also shared with neighbours on the solstice, paired with tonic and Aspall’s Dry Cider. The latter was shockingly good. I will certainly be doing that again.
The remaining sloes sat in their vat, and there was so much flavour left in them that I decided to keep going. Today, after a proper run of frosts, I gathered some more and added them to the spent sloes. Sugar followed, a soft demerara felt right, and then more gin.
This will sit in the cellar until perhaps September, the circle closing.
I am expecting the flavour to shift. More almond-leaning bitterness from the stones, more suppleness as the tannins settle. I will sample at six months, no hardship there, as I do not want to push it too far. If that coincides with my birthday, I will not complain.