RED BUS Gin Essence 20 ml

RED BUS Gin Essence 20 ml

Ask a bartender which gin sits closest to hand and the answer is rarely the most expensive bottle on the shelf. It is the workhorse – the straight-talking, powerful, classically dry gin that makes itself heard through vermouth and bitters alike and never goes missing in the glass. That is exactly the role RED BUS was created to play.

You will find no flowers here, no cucumber and no passing fashions. What you get instead is a big, clear-cut juniper, a broad citrus note of both lemon and bitter orange peel, and a classic spice cupboard of coriander, angelica, almond and liquorice root. The result is a gin with real authority: dry, clean and long, every bit as dependable on a Tuesday as on New Year’s Eve.

Colour & Appearance

Once mixed, the gin is water-clear and brilliant, without the faintest hint of colour. It moves lightly and nimbly in the glass and looks every bit as crisp and clean as it tastes.

Nose

The nose is unmistakably classic. Juniper arrives first, piney and resinous like a juniper bush warmed by the sun, followed almost at once by a fresh streak of lemon peel. Bitter orange adds a sharper, more marmalade-like citrus, while coriander seed gives a spicy, faintly peppery lift. Underneath lie the dry earthiness of angelica root and a soft, nutty touch of almond.

Palate

The palate is dry from the very first second. Juniper takes command straight away, firm and direct, joined by lemon for freshness and bitter orange for a small, grown-up bitterness. In the mid-palate the spices spread out: coriander with its citrusy warmth, angelica holding everything together, and liquorice root lending body and a discreet roundness without adding any sweetness. The almond shows mostly as a silky mouthfeel. What really impresses is the strength – this gin keeps its character even when it is lengthened with tonic, ice and citrus.

Finish

The finish is long, dry and clean. Juniper and bitter orange peel linger longest, along with a peppery warmth from the coriander and a final, gently rooty note.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit, and the gin can be enjoyed straight away. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished gin. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• Negroni with equal parts gin, red bitter and sweet vermouth – this is where the power comes into its own.
• Dry Martini, stirred and ice-cold, with a lemon twist or an olive.
• Gin and tonic with plenty of ice and a wedge of lemon.
• Tom Collins with lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda.
• With grapefruit soda or bitter lemon as a simple, dry long drink.

About the Essence

RED BUS is the gin for anyone who wants one reliable answer to the question of which gin belongs in the drinks cabinet. It is made for mixing and holds its style in everything from easy long drinks to spirit-forward cocktails where a weaker gin would have lost its voice.

The essence comes in several sizes: 20 ml for one bottle, 32 ml under the name LW Gin Be for two bottles, 280 ml and 1000 ml for parties and bars, and 25 litres for producers. The flavour profile is the same in every format – big juniper, clear citrus and a dry, lingering close.