Imbued with the scent of a coastal walk and balanced with the fresh notes of citrus, Hendrick’s limited edition NEPTUNIA gin is refreshing and delectable. It’s been created by master distiller Lesley Gracie, who has always been fascinated with flavours and how they work together. Her modus operandi is to visualise flavours as shapes; her desire – to create a round, balanced flavour in all of her elixirs. 

In 1999, Gracie was approached by the great grandson of William Grant, Charles Gordon, to create the “ultra-premium” gin which was to become Hendrick’s. Over the past two decades, Gracie has been responsible for countless pioneering Hendrick’s releases and has amassed an array of botanicals, distillates, and experimental liquids, which are housed in a locked cabinet – the Cabinet of Curiosities – that’s in her laboratory at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace. In the process she has also amassed industry awards; the latest are a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Spirit Business Awards 2021 and is one of the Fifty Most Influential People in the British Luxury Sector on the Walpole Power List, 2022. 

The inspiration for Gracie’s latest elixir,  perfect for a summer sundowner, was the sea. She explains,  “I find listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore really therapeutic. Looking out onto the horizon and feeling the wind in your hair and the salty sea breeze on your face is just a great feeling, it’s so freeing, invigorating and calming all at the same time. I walk down the beach in Girvan in Ayrshire every weekend with my dog and take in the sound of the waves and that particular smell that you find, no matter what beach you are on.”

“Most of my creations are based on memories – I play around with botanicals and combine them to recreate certain sensations. Hendrick’s NEPTUNIA, for me, is that freeing feeling of the sea bottled in a gin. You have that distinctive fresh character of coastal herbs, depth of flavour from the sea botanicals and an unmistakable clean, bright citrus finish that lifts and lightens in a round, refreshing way that makes it Hendrick’s.”

With a product inspired by the magic of the sea, Hendrick’s is keen to shine a light on one of the least known but hardest working groups of organisms that live at the bottom of the sea: the seagrasses. Seagrass meadows are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, and yet many don’t even know they exist. Not only do seagrass meadows sequester and store carbon, helping us to mitigate the effects of climate change, but they also provide shelter and food to an incredibly diverse community of animals, from tiny invertebrates to large fish, crabs, turtles, marine mammals, and birds. 

How to serve Hendrick’s NEPTUNIA? Ally Martin, Hendrick’s Global Ambassador advises, “As you’d expect, Hendrick’s NEPTUNIA is exquisite with tonic and a slice of cucumber. Although if you’re embarking on an adventure with friends, try setting sail with a NEPTUNIA Fizz. It’s remarkably easy to make and impressive to serve up on shore. Simply combine two parts of Hendrick’s NEPTUNIA with one part fresh lime and one part simple syrup and top with soda. A slice of cucumber to finish and ahoy!” 

Hendrick’s NEPTUNIA is the latest small batch release from the pioneering gin makers. The brand originated in 1999, when Gracie was approached by the great-grandson of William Grant, Charles Gordon, to create an “ultra-premium” gin which was to become Hendrick’s. Over the past two decades, Gracie has been responsible for countless innovative and unique Hendrick’s releases and has amassed an array of botanicals, distillates, and experimental liquid, which are houses in a locked cabinet – the Cabinet of Curiosities – that’s in her laboratory at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace. In the process she has also amassed industry awards: the latest is a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Spirit Business Awards 2021 and named as one of the Fifty Most Influential People in the British Luxury Sector on the Walpole Power List, 2022. 

Unlike ordinary gins, Hendrick’s Gin is distilled in Scotland in batches of only 500 litres at a time, which means that NEPTUNIA is available for a limited time only.  Make sure you pick up a bottle, €46, at SuperValu and enjoy with friends. To find out more visit; www.hendricksgin.com