Normindia Gin Distillé

Normindia is the work of Pierre Martin Neuhaus of Domaine du Coquerel, who returned from six months in India with a head full of spice and a wish to marry it to Normandy's orchards. The gin is distilled in the estate's small copper pot stills, the same ones normally given over to Calvados, and that gentle treatment leaves it both pure and intense. Fifteen botanicals make the cut, from juniper, coriander, ginger and cinnamon to Indian cloves, oranges and a thread of lily.

The nose is a refreshing tangle of citrus and juniper lifted by clove, cinnamon and a warm note of ginger. On the palate it turns soft and rounded, fresh apple and orange meeting coriander and a subtle floral hint, before a long finish where the spice glows against the fruit's sweetness. Serve with a Mediterranean tonic and a curl of orange zest, or a sprig of rosemary if you prefer the herbal side.