Staying in the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel recently, it was impossible to refuse a refreshing gin and tonic after a busy day filled with outdoor activities. Empress 1908 has an unusual flavour, with a hit of citrus. During distillation, an infusion of butterfly pea blossom creates the distinctive hue. Indigo blue in colour, added to a splash of tonic, it transforms from indigo blue to monarch purple then rose petal pink.
Handcrafted by Victoria Distillers, this unique gin is worlds apart from other gins. Traditional in flavor, it is handcrafted in small batch copper pot stills; this is a gin with depth and refinement. It is all natural and made with pure Canadian water polished with reverse osmosis.
The famed Fairmont Empress Hotel, opened in 1908 to adorn the Inner Harbour. So great was the Empress’ fame that its house tea – an exotic blend – quickly became of symbol of the heritage and tradition of Victoria.
Historically, travelers from all corners of the globe came to sip the famous Fairmont tea blend enhancing exquisite china teacups at the Empress. The Empress 1908 Indigo Gin marries crystalline Canadian waters with eight organic botanicals including juniper, rose, coriander seed, grapefruit peel, ginger root, cinnamon bark and the Fairmont Empress tea blend. ‘True to its origin’ botanical sourcing and fair trade grains enhance Empress 1908 with a purity that will last.
An ideal souvenir of Victoria and something to take overseas as a truly unique gift from Canada.
Now available at selected liquor stores across Canada.