Bombay Sapphire 5to7
The True Taste of Gin
(photos by: Binzento)
I had been taught with a few
things about the ‘spirits of gin’ in the past two weeks. And quite frankly, I
was never a real gin fan. Perhaps this type of alcohol was not always the first
beverage that occurred to me as the bartender asked for the drink order at the
bar counter, and it may even be my psychology was telling me to avoid unfamiliar
burning taste it possessed. Recently
however, I was invited by Bombay Sapphire to one of their Bombay
Sapphire 5to7 event series at Korq Winehouse & Kitchen to taste its gin products and signature cocktails. Thanks to their
reps’ education and the opportunity to carefully taste the true essence of gin,
I now became a fan.
Originated from England, the true
taste of gin by Bombay Sapphire was captured inside a beautiful classy blue
bottle. Unlike other gin, the aroma gives it a more light and floral rather
than a punchy scent. The taste is complex, and certainly requires your taste
buds’ careful analysis to truly appreciate the multi-layers of flavors. The
classic Bombay Sapphire is made of ten exotic botanicals, which are labeled on
the bottle. These include: almond, lemon peel, liquorices, juniper berries,
orris root, angelica, coriander, cassia, cubeb, and grains of paradise.
My favorite perhaps was the Bombay Sapphire East, which was
infused with two additional botanicals: Thai
lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorn. Like the name and ingredients
implied, Bombay Sapphire East possessed unique rustic Asian-inspired flavors.
The first sip gives a kick sensation, a playful spicy taste perhaps due to the
peppercorn, and slowly the citrus taste from the lemongrass follows. The
signature cocktail that was introduced using the Sapphire East was the Sapphire
East & Tonic, which included the Bombay Sapphire East, fresh lemongrass,
fresh lime and tonic. They were simple ingredients that enhance the nature of
Bombay Sapphire East.
Other Bombay Sapphire cocktails
like the Sapphire Martini (Bombay Sapphire, dry vermouth), Sapphire Pineapple
Ginger Collins (Bombay Sapphire East, St. Germain liqueur, fresh lemon, fresh
pineapple, ginger, soda) were equally appealing. I was most surprised with the
Sparkling Sapphire cocktail (Bombay Sapphire, fresh strawberries, fresh lime,
prosecco) since it was not very sweet and the added sparkling taste from
prosecco really suited the beverage choice that I like.
The Bombay Sapphire 5to7 was a perfect experience for someone like
myself who had never understood gin. Now that I am a fan, I’ve got my own
bottle at home to enjoy during the happy hour or my next house gathering.
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