Capreolus Waxwing Gin
Capreolus · Capreolus Distillery
Barney Wilczak's small-batch operation in the Welsh borderlands produces spirits of remarkable clarity, and this gin is no exception. Juniper-forward but botanically nuanced, it's a gin for people who want to taste the spirit's architecture, not just its window dressing.
Nose
Opens with a pronounced juniper character—resinous and piney—before giving way to coriander seed and a delicate violet note. Underneath sits a warm cassia bark spice and the faintest lift of orange peel.
Palate
Bold juniper entry, layered with peppery heat and orris root earthiness. The mid-palate softens with a gentle angelica bitterness and floral complexity from rose and lavender. The high proof delivers conviction without aggression.
Finish
Long and spice-driven, with juniper and cassia bark slowly fading into a clean, slightly resinous close. A touch of grapefruit bitterness appears at the very end.
- Style
- London Dry style
- Botanicals
- Juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, cassia bark, violet, lavender, orange peel, grapefruit peel
- Base Spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
- Distillation
- Vapor-infused and pot-distilled in small batches on a bespoke copper still
Cocktail Suggestion
English Garden Martini — 2.5 oz Capreolus Waxwing Gin · 0.5 oz dry vermouth · 1 dash lavender bitters · Stir with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a lemon twist.
Food Pairing
The gin's herbaceous juniper and peppery notes cut through the richness of hollandaise, while its floral lift echoes the green sweetness of perfectly charred asparagus.
Barney Wilczak founded Capreolus Distillery in his Herefordshire barn, using a custom-built copper still and foraged local botanicals to create small-batch spirits that reflect the English countryside with unusual precision.
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