Continuing his exploration into gin after his ‘Asian Parsnip’ concoction, television presenter James May has announced his latest unusual gin – American Mustard!
Surprisingly, in the United States itself, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau have very recently banned James May from calling it, ‘American Mustard’ because it isn’t literally a mustard, and apparently people might get confused. As baffling as that is, whilst the ‘American Mustard’ name stays for everyone else, in America it will be printed as, ‘American Ramstud’ –which you might have instantly spotted is an anagram for mustard – crafty!
Yellow mustard seeds are the front and centre botanical, but the American hot dog and burger theme is bolstered by the inclusion of gherkin and tomato too. These experimental flavours sit on a more familiar botanical base including orange, rosemary, angelica root, liquorice, coriander seed, bay and of course, that beautiful juniper. All in all, you can expect a very unique flavour profile with a subtle spice on your tongue and a warmth in your belly, so it could shape up to be a very nice cold evening gin indeed.
It wasn’t just the flavour that caused May to pick mustard, but what it represents, saying, “It is more conceptual; an abstract signifier of America’s greatness. In producing this gin, I am acknowledging the UK’s debt to the Land of the Free and celebrating the special relationship our two nations enjoy.”
The initial release of 500 bottles sold out but not to worry if you’re intrigued and want to get your hands on some the gin has now been officially launched. you can buy the 40% ABV bottle from the James Gin website for £39.
We haven’t managed to try it just yet but we have a feeling mustard could be very hit or miss. If you have managed to get your hands on a bottle, do reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and let us know what you thought!