Mermaid Winter Gin 750ML

Mermaid Winter Gin 750ML is a seasonal English gin bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle from the Isle of Wight Distillery. This limited winter expression builds on the distillery's signature coastal botanical profile by layering warming spices and evergreen notes over the brand's distinctive rock samphire foundation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Isle of Wight, England  |  Seasonal Expression  |  Distillery: Isle of Wight Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Isle of Wight Distillery was founded in 2014 by Conrad Gauntlett and Xavier Baker, making it the first dedicated distillery on the Isle of Wight. Production takes place at their Pondwell facility using a copper pot still, with rock samphire hand-foraged from the island's coastline serving as a defining botanical across the Mermaid range. The Winter Gin expression augments the original Mermaid Gin recipe with seasonal botanicals — including pine, clove, and warming citrus peel — designed to evoke the character of the island during the colder months.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine needles and juniper open the nose, followed by clove spice and a subtle coastal minerality. Dried orange peel and a touch of cinnamon warmth emerge as the gin breathes.

Taste: The entry is bright with juniper and fresh citrus, quickly giving way to a mid-palate of warm baking spice — cinnamon and clove are prominent without being heavy. Rock samphire contributes a gentle saline quality that distinguishes this from typical spiced gins, while the pine botanical adds an aromatic, resinous depth.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering warmth from the spice blend and a clean, slightly herbal close. The coastal influence from the samphire persists as a faint, savory note beneath the winter botanicals.

How to Drink Mermaid Winter Gin

Served neat or over a single large ice cube, the winter spice profile comes through clearly without overwhelming the juniper backbone. A splash of premium tonic with a cinnamon stick garnish highlights the seasonal character beautifully.

• Winter Gin & Tonic: Pair with a light Indian tonic and a clementine wheel — the citrus garnish amplifies the gin's dried orange peel notes.
• Hot Gin Toddy: The warming spice profile makes this a natural fit for a hot toddy with honey and lemon, where the pine and clove botanicals intensify with heat.
• Negroni: The spice-forward character and herbal backbone stand up well to sweet vermouth and Campari, adding seasonal complexity to the classic template.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast during the holiday season
• Hosting winter dinner parties or fireside gatherings
• Adding seasonal variety to a curated gin collection
• Mixing warm cocktails on cold evenings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mermaid Winter Gin taste like? Mermaid Winter Gin delivers juniper-led freshness layered with warming cinnamon, clove, and pine, balanced by a distinctive coastal minerality from hand-foraged rock samphire. The overall impression is a spiced yet restrained gin that avoids the heavy sweetness found in many seasonal spirits.

How does Mermaid Winter Gin compare to standard Mermaid Gin? The original Mermaid Gin emphasizes its coastal botanical character — rock samphire, Boadicea hops, and fresh citrus — whereas the Winter expression adds a distinct layer of warming spice and evergreen botanicals. Both share the same 40% ABV and Isle of Wight provenance, but the Winter edition is a seasonal release with a noticeably richer, spice-forward profile.

Is Mermaid Winter Gin good for cocktails? Yes — the warming spice notes make it especially well-suited to winter cocktails like hot toddies and spiced Negronis, while retaining enough juniper backbone to work in a classic Gin and Tonic.

Where is Mermaid Winter Gin made? Mermaid Winter Gin is distilled at the Isle of Wight Distillery in Pondwell, on the Isle of Wight off England's southern coast. The distillery was founded in 2014 and is the island's first and only gin distillery.

What foods pair well with Mermaid Winter Gin? Smoked salmon canapés complement the gin's saline rock samphire notes. Roasted duck with orange glaze echoes the citrus peel botanicals. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the spice warmth effectively. Gingerbread or spiced shortbread cookies mirror the cinnamon and clove character. Dark chocolate with orange peel rounds out the pairing naturally.

What sizes does Mermaid Winter Gin come in? Mermaid Winter Gin is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Mermaid Winter Gin worth the price? Mermaid Winter Gin positions as a premium seasonal gin, reflecting the Isle of Wight Distillery's use of hand-foraged botanicals and small-batch copper pot distillation. For collectors of limited seasonal expressions and fans of the Mermaid range, it represents solid value within the premium English gin tier.

Why Mermaid Winter Gin?

What sets Mermaid Winter Gin apart from the growing field of seasonal gins is its genuine sense of place. The hand-foraged rock samphire from the Isle of Wight coastline provides a coastal signature that no amount of generic winter spice can replicate, grounding the expression in something more specific than "holiday flavoring." As a seasonal release from England's first Isle of Wight distillery, it also carries legitimate scarcity — this is not a year-round product dressed up as limited. The balance between warming spice and clean juniper structure makes it one of the more versatile winter gins available, equally at home neat by a fire as it is in a thoughtfully mixed cocktail.