Review: Hendrick’s Releases Orbium, The World’s 1st Quininated Gin

Love the bitter taste of tonic water? Hendrick’s has got just the gin for you! The much-loved gin brand has expanded the taste spectrum with the launch of a new experimental gin; Hendrick’s Orbium. A reimagining of the classic Hendrick’s gin, this limited release is the world’s first Quininated gin. Infused with extracts of Quinine, Wormwood and Blue Lotus Blossom this gin has an unusually delicious flavour, making it ideal for enjoying on the rocks or with your favourite tonic water.

Created by Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, this expression from Hendrick’s was born from Gracie’s fierce curiosity and an absolute skill for creating new and expansive tastes and flavours using an array of botanicals.

Orbium contains the same distillates as the original Hendrick’s gin but, by infusing flavours that are traditionally associated with classic gin libations; quinine found in tonic (G&T) and wormwood found in Vermouth (Martini’s), Gracie takes gin in a completely new, and exciting direction.

Furthermore, the addition of blue lotus blossom exquisitely balances the overall flavour and the trinity of these essences combines to create a complex gin with surprising brightness and a finish that is uncommonly long. The result is an unfamiliar taste that is oddly familiar in character, designed to open previously unexplored dimensions of gin as it spirals from floral into an altogether deeper and alluringly bitter place.

Tried and tested

Orbium is a truly unique gin, unlike anything I’ve ever tried. The quinine is immediately evident on the nose (in fact, it smells like gin and tonic) and the floral flavours with a distinctly bitter finish are unmistakable when enjoying this unusual gin on the rocks. While the woody bitterness carries through beautifully, it doesn’t overpower or detract from the original Hendrick’s flavours of citrus, cucumber, juniper and rose petals that we’ve come to know and love.

Hendrick’s Orbium will also prove to be a winner of note for those who love a gin and soda (G&S). But, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it with tonic water. In fact, for me, this is where Orbium truly shines. I adore the bitter twang of tonic water, and Orbium only serves to enhance this bitter flavour with its unique flavour profile. If you’re looking for a G&T with an added bitter punch, Orbium is the gin for you.

As for cocktails, this gin also pairs exceptionally well with Vermouth in a Martini and the bitter flavour profile will take your Negroni to unexpected heights.

Hendrick’s Orbium is available from select retailers across South Africa at a Recommended Retail Price of R499.95 for 750ml.