Brewdog’s Lonewolf Gin Review
Brewdog is primarily known for beer. Fantastic beer. If the truth is told, Brewdog is the venue we choose when we feel like splashing out and being adventurous with flavours.
A year or so ago I bought a bottle of Lonewolf Gin for my Birthday. I had no idea at the time that it was under the Brewdog brand until a couple of weeks after having the bottle in my cabinet.
So, seeing as though we have been writing a lot about Scottish Gins we thought we would include the Lonewold Brewdog gin, and some of the new editions and flavours.
Who is Brewdog?
Brewdog is currently the biggest craft beer brand on earth. If you haven't been to a Brewdog, and you're a beer lover, then you need to make a pilgrimage.
The Scottish company was set up November 2006 by two friends, James Watt (the marketing guy) and Martin Dickie (the beer guy). At the time, very few knew what craft beer was, let alone liked it, and the pair found it a very steep uphill battle. Undeterred, the bootstrap company made their name through edgy, low-budget-high-impact marketing and quickly made a name for itself as a premier 'punk' brand with a 'better' alternative to the traditional stale alcohol market.
In recent years, Brewdog has continued to grow exponentially and is seemingly never too far away from the headlines. Even though they have been mired in countless controversies, public backlashes and even had a rather negative documentary published about James, they still seem to be on track to dominating the alcohol sector - at least in the UK.
Although the bars focus is primarily to sell a huge variety of beer, the company branched into producing fine Scottish (Aberdeenshire) gin in March 2017 by launching Lonewolf. This, and the various other flavours available, are what we are talking about today.
The LoneWolf Gin Review
What I remember clearly from my first try was the expression of 'oooh'. It was a surprise. 'Damn, this is good' I remember saying.
The gin is clean, fresh and delicate with sophistication at every turn of flavour. It has been distilled using grain to give it a clear, bright clarity and a very smooth sip.
The citrusy botanicals of lemongrass and Kaffir lime leaf are very delicate and bounce off the gin's punchy juniper backbone. There are notes of spice from coriander, pink peppercorns and mace which give an earthy balance to the high notes. The finish is sweet and floral from Lavender and Scots pine needs which anchor the juniper notes even further.
There are few gins that offer such a level of sophistication.... and this is before we even touch on the subject of the Lonewolf flavoured gins.
Cactus & Lime Gin - flavours of Juniper, Lime, Cactus Plant, Queen of The Night Cactus Flower
Cloudy Lemon Gin - flavours of Juniper, Sicilian Lemon Peel, Lavender
Peach & Passionfruit Gin - flavours of Peach, Passion Fruit, Yuzu
Lonewolf Gunpower Gin - flavours of Bitter Orange Peel, Green Cardamom, Lavender, Star Anise, Szechuan Peppercorn
Lonewolf Dear Mum Gin
Even more, interestingly, is the Lonewolf Dear Mum Gin which is flavoured with spiced orange.
The gin itself was lovely. It had very strong notes of carmen, and juniper with a sweet citrus body that was clearly orange rind.
The name is what piqued our interest. James Watt mentioned on a recent podcast with Steven Bartlett that he had a tense relationship with his mum. It was one of the reasons why he was so driven.
Could this be an olive branch or a loud message? Regardless, it was a wonderful gin.
