In 2016, we looked at three South African brands from the Blaauwklippen estate; Triple Three Gin, the Blaauwklippen Potstilled Brandy and the Blaauwklippen Before & After Aperitif.
Nestled on the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain, this estate is a tranquil and picturesque place. Located in a lush green setting, the estate respects its natural surroundings and works with the natural environment to produce wines and spirits of the highest quality.
Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest estates in South Africa, dating back to 1682, and the name comes from the Dutch word meaning ‘blue rocks’. The estate is now an important tourism destination for both local and international travellers; you can imagine the setting; it plays host to weddings, picnics, functions, pony rides, children’s activities, a family market, a bistro and of course, wine tasting.
But it’s the company’s spirits that have been teasing our taste buds this month. Gin and brandy are both individual specialities in their own right and take a particular focus. They have both also enjoyed a resurgence in demand recently, becoming fashionable and trendy drinks. Blaauwklippen has produced some fantastic offerings and we can certainly recommend the following:
Triple Three Gin
African Botanicals Gin: This is the earthiest of the three offerings and the smell, right from the off, is strong and powerful. Lemony, but with elements of aniseed and liquorice, the smell is clean but sharp. This gin is made with a mix of seven botanicals including ‘flora of the Western Cape’ and you can certainly tell. On first taste, you get green tea along with earth, partly minty, notes.
Officially, the flavour profile should include flavours of forest with honey, maple and almonds but we agree that the herby-earthiness outweighs the sweetness to give more of a savoury taste. And the 43% volume does leave a little sting but it’s pleasant, leaving you wanting more.
We tried a few additions but the best turned out to be combining with cucumber and tonic – or possible fresh rosemary if you’re more adventurous. Of the three, the African Botanicals Gin certainly gave use the most to talk about so perhaps a good one for a party.
100% Juniper Berries Gin: According to Blaauwklippen, the recipe for this 100% Juniper Berry Gin is one of the oldest around. The juniper smell is fresh and very slightly balsamic, reminiscent of typical London gins. The taste is warm and fruity and the juniper gives a sweet note but it’s not overpowering
Menthol, eucalyptus, pine, cloves and lime are suggested elements that should be picked up but we found more floral and peppery notes.
This is definitely the most traditional flavour of the three, this is great enjoyed with lemonade and fresh lime wedges or tonic with fresh thyme.
Citrus Infusion Gin: Blaauwklippen say that ‘natural sun-ripened oranges from the Eastern Cape, as well as Stellenbosch grown organic lemons’ build the flavour of the Citrus Infusion Gin but we found that the red grapefruit notes are the more powerful element.
Like the African Botanicals Gin, the nose here is earthy and herby with perhaps more juniper than expected and less citrus than we thought.
The full citrus flavour comes later in the taste and the finish is medium-long. The flavour is strong, more powerful than the other two, and is not overpowered by the citrus additions which is a good thing. There are definitely notes of perfume and floral flavours but it remains tasty and not too spicy.
Although we tried with many mixers, you can drink it on its own over ice but we would recommend a strong homemade lemonade or even a sparkling elderflower to accentuate the citrus. It would also obviously make a great addition to cocktails that have a citrus base such as the Gin Rickey.
Potstilled Brandy 10 Years Old
The Brandy has an apricot-banana-pear smell with hints of vanilla. Its taste is strong thanks to the 38% proof but it’s not stingy like you would get with a mass produced product, aimed at the lower end of the market.
The taste here is soft and clean with elements of caramel sweetness. There’s also a vanilla creaminess – likely from the sauvignon blanc used in the production. It’s characterised by a light golden colour – like apple juice. It’s smooth and not searing. The back notes bring up oily charcoal, maple, brown sugar and wood. We found the finish to be medium-long.
The flour comes from double distillation in an old Copper potstill which was originally used at Oude Molen in Stellenbosch.
It makes for a great addition to cocktails and can bring a mix to life, adding glitz and glamour to a Metropolitan. For something very unusual, you could even try adding this to a traditional Irish coffee.
Before & After Aperitif
Blaauwklippen’s specialities and brandies include the aforementioned Potstilled Brandy 10 Years Old, the Potstilled Brandy – 8 Year Old, the Zinfandel Distiller’s Reserve and the Before & After Aperitif.
The Before & After is certainly the sweetest of the drinks, like a port but thinner. The smell is sweet with warm berries and honey/syrupy notes and the colour is a deep, dark purple-red-ruby. Because of its consistency, lighter and thinner than a port, almost like a wine, we actually found it to be a perfect spring/summer aperitif; it could even replace coffee or port with cheese at the end of an evening meal.
The taste is of rich dark berries with silky smooth but smoky, woody honey note. Two thirds of us agreed that there was a note of apple and we also could not agree about the strength of cinnamon which was not overpowering.
The company suggests that this could be used successfully as an ingredient in cocktails and we would certainly agree with this – it would add in perfectly to berry based drinks. As it is, perfect on its own, at room temperature, accompanied by something cheesy.
With all of these drinks, the Blaauwklippen Estate shows its creative side and its ability to move away from wine; a move that scuppers so many other SA wine producers. All of these drinks are the perfect addition to the menu at a party and offer something different form the norm. we’ll be keeping a close eye on this business in the future, excited about what’s next with both wine and spirits.