The butterfly pea blossom has a natural indigo hue that transforms to a delicate soft pink with the addition of citrus or tonic. Where most gins on the market use citrus botanicals like lemon or orange in their blends, Empress is made with grapefruit peel instead. According to the brand, the unusual ingredient provides a distinct aromatic experience and slightly bitter, somewhat sweet herbal notes that pair well with gin’s favorite mixer — tonic. Empress is committed to reducing its footprint. The doors of the Fairmont Empress Hotel opened in 1908. It is situated in Victoria, British Columbia Canada and looks over the city’s renowned harbor. Empress 1908 Gin is named for and inspired by the hotel’s century plus of history. The brand was launched in Canada early last year, followed by a successful rollout across the US. The gin was trialled over a four-week period at Arc Inspirations, where almost 800 bottles of the gin were sold over the period, accounting for 73% of its premium gin sales. As I smelled this gin for the first time, the alcohol scent came out very strong – similar to rubbing alcohol. As I smelled it a second and third time, the aroma was a bit more mellow with a light, sweet citrus scent. As I continued to sniff, I could smell a subtle sense of leafiness – though it was difficult to identify the exact plant.

But, you will need to grab your broom because the show-stopping gin is set to be a popular in the run up to Christmas.The Empress 1908 Gin is a creation of Victoria Distillers. Actually, this distillery was known for its unique liqueurs, which were made in the Copper Alambic and were considered the best in British Columbia. But the Empress 1908 Gin is the best example that their skills go far beyond liqueurs. From 8 selected botanicals, the distillery has conjured a gin that is more than accomplished in both style and quality. It is handcrafted using an energy-saving process and finished with pear for an extra fruity touch. The minimisation of environmental impact and the natural aroma as well as the unique quality convince laymen and true gin connoisseurs alike. Serving recommendation The colour change is mysteriously activated by the butterfly pea flower ingredient that is distilled within the gin. Empress 1908 is a slightly contemporary style gin with a heady citrus, juniper and coriander accord that takes copious cues from gin’s 300 year history.

Aware of the amounts of water and energy necessary to distill spirits, Victoria Distillers is committed to reducing its climate impact wherever possible. As such, the distillery partnered with its neighbor, the Sidney Pier Hotel, to use a closed-loop system during distillation that recaptures heat and water used in the distilling process and transfers it to energy that’s used at the hotel next door. This closed-loop system connects the distillation stills to a geothermal system that powers units used to heat each of the hotel rooms next door. Through this system, Victoria Distillers is able to save approximately 1,500 gallons of water and is able to transfer 850,000 BTUs of energy to the hotel per distillation. Through this project, the distillery hopes to save 1,384,000 gallons of water and transfer a total of over 727 million BTUs to Sidney Pier Hotel per year. It’s Insta-famous. However, if I was judging based on taste and quality alone, this gin really wouldn’t stand out. It is not smooth, and its flavor is average at best. For the price, you are really paying for the visual wow factor – and you have to know that going in! Asda Spirits Buyer Ryan Ormrod said: ''Gin is a much-loved British icon, and with the addition of colour-changing qualities, we know our customers will go wild for the new bottles as we help whet their appetites for quality, novelty gin. What first catches the eye about this gin is its unusual purple colour, which immediately arouses curiosity. Then there is the modern bottle design and the seductive aroma that Empress 1908 Gin exudes. Because when you open the bottle, your nose is treated to a delicate smell of butterfly flowers, citrus and Fairmont Empress House Teas. The pleasure of this gin reaches its peak as soon as you can no longer resist and try a sip. The typical juniper flavour paired with rose and grapefruit promises a fruity, spicy taste experience that lingers on the tongue for a long time. Handcrafted GinEmpress 1908 Gin is rather by the numbers as far as palate goes. The citrus is big and dominant, and for that reason I think it leans contemporary.