Gin London Dry Vietnam Song Cai
The Gin London Dry Vietnam Song Cai is a gin made in Hanoi, northern Vietnam, from botanicals hand-picked in the jungles of the Northern Highlands. Selected botanicals, such as Mac Mat berries and leaves, white licorice, ginger, turmeric and coriander seeds, are distilled in a copper pot still along with rice alcohol and molasses, resulting in a deep, aromatic gin in which citrus and balsamic notes are balanced by a pleasant sweetness and spicy hints that accompany a warm, enveloping finish
Song Cai Gin London Dry Vietnam represents the first Vietnamese gin ever produced, born in the northern highlands of the Hanoi region from the visionary spirit of Vietnamese-American Daniel Nguyen. Daniel founded the Song Cai distillery in 2018 with the intent of enhancing Vietnam and its rural fabric. To promote environmental and social sustainability, Song Cai sources botanicals from local growers at fair prices and invests in reforestation programs, protection of plant species, and educational assistance for native communities, also funding agricultural facilities and equipment. The northern highlands from which the botanicals come are rich in rare plant species that do not grow anywhere else, and Daniel collaborates with local communities, primarily Red Dzao and H’mong, enhancing their deep spiritual culture.
Vietnam London Dry Gin Song Cai is derived from the union of 16 different botanicals handpicked from the communities of the northern highlands of the Hanoi region. The ingredients include green turmeric, jungle pepper,black cardamom, licorice, pomelo, ginger, coriander seeds, and the berries and leaves of clausena. The botanicals are first macerated in a base of rice alcohol and molasses and then distilled separately in copper pot stills heated by direct fire according to the discontinuous method. Once the distillation process is complete, the blending of the masses and bottling takes place with a colorful label inspired by Hang Trong, an ancient painting style characteristic of Vietnam.
The London Dry Gin Vietnam by Song Cai is clear and crystalline. On the nose, there are aromas of lychee and citrus peel, supported by subtle balsamic and spicy notes. The taste is slightly sweet and spicy, with a warm and enveloping finish rich in citrus returns.