Fermented Sloe Gin Starter

[lord_seagrave]

Well, you learn something new every day. I love my sloe gin, but even using the strongest gin spirits, I'm frequently a little disappointed by how low the alcohol content of the finished product is (especially taking into account the angel's share during maturation).

 

Then I found THIS.

 

Make sloe wine first, then add the gin/vodka. Not only will this up the alcohol content, but I'm pretty sure the result will be a fuller-flavoured liqueur.

 

Wine/beer enthusiasts feel free to add your thoughts.

 

 

LS

[Jan147]

I never have a problem with the alchohol content in mine.

 

Last week i filtered off 1 demijon of blackcurrant gin made with Mr Tesco cheepest and it tasted like velvet with the colour of a nice claret. Both me and my bottling assistant both commented how strong it was and I did remind him i had to drive home afterwards so he finished up the testing glass.

 

I also filtered off 1 demijohn of raspberry gin that I had made from a gin kit which was quite messy with lots of sachets to add including charcoal. This was pretty strong too. I was quite suprised by this as did not know what to expect and really expected something akin to paint stripper really but was pleasantly suprised. Would have a go at making a gin kit again and only costs around £12.

 

Both these have been sitting in the dark since June last year and I will probably bottle them in the next week or so. I allways leave mine at least a year before I first filter to get the fruit out.

 

When I have made sloe gin I leave them a good 18 months before first filter.