Looking at the bottle and its details, you can see already that a lot of passion goes into creating this Gin. Elephant Gin has a unique yet low-key bottle design. Writing this review, I remember how perfect I thought it was the first time I saw it almost a decade ago. It's not modern or overly fancy but made with so much attention to detail.
It starts with the unusual bottle shape sealed with a big cork and the cord around the bottleneck sealed with a lead seal. The front shows a stamp-like label.
Each batch is named after a living or former elephant. In addition, the bottom label on the front is hand-lettered by a calligrapher. The backside label is also printed on both sides, and looking through the bottle, it shows a map of Africa.
What is Elephant Gin?
Elephant Gin is a wonderfully crafted small batch London Dry Gin inspired by African flavors. At 45%, Elephant Gin consists of 14 different botanicals. Some of these underline the African theme like Baobab, Buchu plant, African Wormwood, and Devil's Claw. Of course, there are also more classic botanicals such as juniper, ginger, pine, orange peel, and apples.
Where does Elephant Gin come from?
As already mentioned, the flavor profile is very African. That is because the idea for Elephant Gin came from the creators', Robin und Tessa Gerlach, travels thorugh Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania.
The Gin is crafted and distilled in copper stills just outside of the city of Hamburg in North Germany.
Review of Elephant Gin
Here's my review of the taste, which tonic I recommend for a G&T with Elephant Gin, and some other things I find noteworthy.
How does Elephant Gin taste?
The nose is initially quite heavy on juniper. Then other, more fruity and spicy notes come forward. The flavor profile of the Gin from Hamburg is quite complex and multilayered.
It carries a pleasant spiciness from juniper and pepper and African herbs like Loin’s Tail, Buchu, and Baobab. And you can also detect sweeter notes and hints of fruit and citrus. -All in all, a round and smooth tasting experience.
With 45% ABV, Elephant Gin is relatively high in alcohol. Still, because it is so well balanced, there os no overly harsh bite from the alcohol and pleasant to sip neat.
What tonic goes best with Elephant?
My recommended tonic water for Elephant Gin is Fever Tree Indian Tonic. Depending on the desired strength, aim for a gin to tonic ratio of 1:2 or 1:3. However, this is only my recommendation. And as everyone is different, you might as well try some of your favorite tonic waters. But as with every quality Gin, please make sure to use quality tonic water.
Is Elephant Gin Gluten-Free?
Yes, it is. Like most other Gins, Elephant is considered Gluten-Free. But make sure not to add any other ingredient containing Gluten to your drink.
What I love the most
Elephant Gin has a superb flavor profile and is a great Gin to drink. And it also helps save elephants in Africa. Already since the launch in 2013, 15% of revenue from bottle sales has been donated to the Big Life Foundation and Space for Elephants. I love the idea and support it regularly by stocking up on Elephant whenever I can.
Perfect serve for Elephant Gin & Tonic
A well-balanced Gin like Elephant needs the perfect tonic water (see recommendation above). Because it is such a complex Gin without a strongly dominant taste, you don't want to overpower it with your tonic. When it comes to the garnish, a slice of fresh apple works perfectly in an Elephant G&T.
- 1.5 oz Elephant Gin
- 4.5 oz Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water
- Slice of apple
New Gin: Orange & Cocoa
Not long ago, Elephant launched a new addition to their Portfolio. An Orange Cocoa Gin that combines sweet and citrusy orange flavor with notes of gently roasted cocoa. If you haven't tried it yet, you should definitely give it a go.
The fruity notes of oranges combined with a hint of blood orange are a gorgeous base for a summer Gin & Tonic. I recommend trying it with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic water. That works really well with the orange flavors and enhances the cocoa flavor. All in all, it makes for quite a unique Gin Tonic.