Bobby’s Schiedam Pinang Raci Spice Dry Gin

Bobby's Gin Company in the Netherlands made this Pinang Raci bottling as a tribute to the founders' grandfather, Jacobus Alfons, known as Bobby, who once infused a genever with a riot of spices into what the family called a glorious mishmash. Working with Master Distiller Herman Jansen in Schiedam, they reached for Indonesian botanicals tied to his birthplace on Ambon, galangal, turmeric and daun salam, alongside classic gin botanicals like juniper, coriander, ginger, lemongrass and cubeb pepper.

The nose is floral, with galangal, daun salam and juniper. The palate opens into ginger, orange and lemongrass with clove, cinnamon and coriander stitched through, finishing long and warmly spiced. It wants a rich tonic and a slice of orange, or a piece of star anise to draw out that exotic backbone.