THE GIN PASSPORT ATLAS - DISTILLERY STORY- PINNED ON THE MAP - EUROPE
DR SQUID GIN, Cornwall, England, UK
CORNWALL, FOLKLORE & A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC
A gin that is anything but ordinary.
Everything about Dr Squid is designed to make you look twice, from the beautifully engraved copper flask to the rather unexpected ingredient inside it. This isn't a gin that was ever going to disappear quietly onto a crowded shelf.
Pocketful of Stones is based in Penzance, Cornwall, and has built a reputation for making spirits with a strong sense of place. The team have backgrounds in the hospitality industry and brought that experience to Cornwall, creating a range that includes gin, rum, whisky, vodka, absinthe and cider brandy.
Dr Squid began life in spring 2018 after a lot of experimenting and, according to the distillery, quite a few moments when they wondered whether the recipe was even possible. The answer was eventually yes.
The secret is real squid ink. Only a tiny amount is needed, but it gives the gin its striking dark colour and a subtle saline character. Pour it into a glass and it is almost black; add tonic and suddenly it transforms into a vivid pink. It is the sort of gin that demands to be shown off.
The copper flask is just as theatrical. It is engraved with the scenery, wildlife, folklore and history of Cornwall, making the packaging almost as interesting as what's inside.
Look closely and you'll find all sorts of references to the Cornish landscape and its wildlife, including the Mên-an-Tol, the famous prehistoric monument near Madron.
The Mên-an-Tol consists of three standing stones, including the distinctive holed stone. It has attracted folklore for centuries, including the belief that passing children through the hole could cure rickets.
There are plenty of other little details to discover too, so this is definitely a bottle worth picking up and examining before you even think about opening it.Despite all the theatrics, Dr Squid isn't a gimmick.
The squid ink gives a gentle saline note, but the rest of the recipe brings plenty of balance. Coriander and sea buckthorn provide warmth and a fresh, fruity lift, while lemon peel brings citrus. Vanilla and cinnamon add a smooth, almost velvety texture and gentle sweetness.
It is savoury, citrusy and surprisingly smooth, with the sea buckthorn adding a lovely tartness. The vanilla stops it becoming too sharp and gives the gin a softness that makes it incredibly easy to drink.
I've enjoyed it simply with tonic and also with ginger beer, which the distillery recommends as a Gin Mule.
For the purposes of my photographs, though, I couldn't resist making a Dr Squid Gimlet.
I swapped the usual lime for lemon, which gives a softer, less sharp citrus hit and allows the more unusual flavours in the gin to shine through.
Dr Squid is one of those rare gins where the story, packaging and liquid all come together. It looks completely bonkers, but underneath the theatrical exterior is a genuinely well-balanced gin.
All said, this gin is no myth. It's legend.
"THE GIN THAT GOES FROM INK TO PINK"
DR SQUID GIMLET
50ml Dr Squid Gin
25ml fresh lemon juice
15ml simple syrup
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon peel rose.
Show me a bottle and I'll
tell you a story!
