Each product has its own story
During our many ventures we encountered a bunch of beautiful craft products. As our stories came together, we decided to tell you the unique stories of these craft creations.
DONC VERMOUTH
Our Story
In search of a Belgian Vermouth to make our Belgian Dry Martini, we encountered chef Geert Van Der Bruggen of restaurant Lijsterbes. In his persistent pursuit of perfection and indomitable passion for taste, he created the Vermouth Donc.
Their story
DONC is a home-made vermouth based on a white sauvignon wine and flavoured with 25 unique herbs and spices such as roses, angelica, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, basil, vanilla, etc. For 3 weeks they are macerated in grain gin. Afterwards he adds a small amount of sugar which is gently caramelized. The subtle blend of all these ingredients gives DONC Vermouth its unique, aromatic and savory taste.
Drunken Horse Gin Pairing
As a Dry Martini or check out our signature cocktail: The Horse of a 1000 roses.
DOUBLE DUTCH
Our Story
Who could have imagined that in the backyard of our gin-distillery there are living two beautiful twins who produce a premium tonic…
Joyce and Raissa are two dutch girls who were raised in Belgium. We never met before but our gin and their tonic brought us together. As we did (and still do), they threw a lot of parties where people needed to bring their own spirits and they prepared the mixers.
As the mixers were such a success they started their own company, named Double Dutch Drinks. (Did you knew that Richard Branson offered them The Foodpreneur award in 2015 and listed them in the list of “30 under 30- Europe” list?)
Their story
Double Dutch has 9 different mixers. From the classic Indian tonic to mixers like Pomegranate and Basil, Rhubarb and Pine needle and many more.
All mixers are all natural and sustainably sourced. They are low in calories, 100% natural with no artificial ingredients, organic, vegan and of course super delicious.
They always try to work with local suppliers wherever they can support local communities. Their packaging is sourced ethically with minimal environmental footprint being the key factor in all their decision making.
Drunken Horse Gin Pairing
As the Drunken Horse Gin is perfectly distilled for a fresh gin and tonic, full of taste and character, we recommend to mix it with the neutral and classic Indian Tonic or the Skinny Tonic Water
MARY-V
Our Story
Benoît, co-owner of The Drunken Horse Gin, met Piet Tomaat, the co-founder of Mary V, at the restaurant “The Jane” in Antwerp. He was delivering his Japanese tomatoes, we were delivering our gin.
He told us that he created this uncommonly and tangy tomato juice together with Nick Bril, the Chef of “The Jane”. We were excited and soon we met again to mix our two drinks. A new and authentic cocktail was born: Mary from Belgium. A match made in heaven.
(Funny detail: Many years ago Piet Tomaat and the father of Tom (co-founder of The Drunken Horse Gin) and almost decided to start a tomato plantation in the South of France … Now their roads crossed again)
Their story
Nick Bril – Lead chef at Restaurant The Jane** presents Mary V:his idea of the ultimate tomato juice. And a drink with the same rich taste sensation as his signature dishes.
The Japanese Tomimaru Muchoo tomato is the key ingredient. Nick mixes in Salicornia, basil, oregano,sea water and mild chili pepper to season it. The result is anenergising splash for the entire palate. Complete, refreshing and fulfilling.
Drunken Horse Gin Pairing
We present: Mary from Belgium, a fresh and gastronomic cocktail. Check out this link to know everything about this fabulous combination (aka The Belgian Bloody Mary).
MARLIN SPIKE
Our Story
Funny enough we were introduced to the Belgian rum, Marlin Spike, at the other side of the world. In Shanghai we met Bobby, a flamboyant Chinese trader, who told us that he encountered a very smooth and surprising rum which is owned by a Belgian guy, Alexander Derwazeh.
Once back in Belgium we contacted Alexander and learned that his rum, according to The Foodpairing Company, is a perfect match with tonic water. Just like our gin. From there off our stories started to mingle more and more.
Their story
MarlinSpike, rum, but not as you know it.
Made from rare aged and mellow Latin American rums, MarlinSpike is a surprising blend that delivers a complex depth of flavour yet with a unique breath of freshness.
The aroma notes are of banana, green apple, rare tropical fruit, complex spices and only a hint of floral (rose and honey). What sets this complex blend apart, is much stronger fruitiness, albeit with very little coconut flavour, much reduced floral aroma, a strong over-performance in vanilla and atypical woody tones; normally associated with fine Bourbon or single malts.
Drunken Horse Gin Pairing
Marlin Spike pairs brilliantly with the Double Dutch Indian tonic and if you like a good Dark and Stormy, mix Marlin Spike with Double Dutch ginger beer.
NICOLAS MAILLART
Our Story
Our story
We met Lucy, the wife of Nicolas Maillart, during a tasting at the beautiful lake of Aix-Les-bains. There we tried their wonderful champagnes for the first time. We will never forget the first sip of the Brut Rose Grand Cru… When she sipped of our gin we knew that we needed to explore a possible cooperation. After visiting the bodega and wineyards, which are still in family hands since 1753, we began to understand why Nicolas Maillart can produce these exquisites’ champagnes.
nce … Now their roads crossed again)
Their story
Nicolas Maillart, who is in charge of the family business since 2003, decided to continue the almost three hundred year-old family tradition and maintain the house philosophy of bringing out the full potential of the Champagne terroirs in their wines.
Thanks to his ancestors who decided to never sell out the land, they were able to keep and select the best terroirs. All their vines are in the Premier and Grand Cru villages of the Montagne de Reims.
By understanding the terroir as nobody else, Nicolas analyses, treats and respects the soil and vines to the fullest. In this manner he brings out the real taste of the terroir of Champange.
Drunken Horse Gin Pairing
We often use the champagne of Nicolas Maillart to top of some of our cocktails. Check out the French Horse made by our Nino Fauvarque, winner of The Havana Club Grand Prix.
BRUT PLATINE PREMIER CRU
COMPOSITION:
Pinot Noir 80% – Chardonnay 20% – Reserve wines 40%
VINIFICATION AND MATURING :
Vinification and maturing are slow by gently pressing and using gravity-flow techniques. After the vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats they go for a certain period in the barrel. for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.
DOSAGE: 8 g/litre
TASTING NOTES:
EYE: Golden in color with a fine, lingering bead
NOSE: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness
PALATE: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse.
BRUT ROSE GRAND CRU
COMPOSITION:
Majority of Pinot noir, blended with Chardonnay
VINIFICATION AND MATURING :
Maceration on skins for 52 hours. Slow and gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. After the vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats they go for a certain period in the barrel. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.
DOSAGE: 6 g/litre
TASTING NOTES:
EYE: Salmon-pink in colour with a fine, lingering bead
NOSE: Intense with notes of fruit (ripe and from the forest floor)
PALATE: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse.
JOLIVETTES GRAND CRU
“Jolivettes Grand Cru:The firms new flagship from a fine vineyard in Bouzy grand cru. Maillarts two vineyard from 2015 are among my greatest experiences in 2019. Points: 95”
Richard Juhlin (Mr. Juhlin received the highest rank in France when he was awarded the medal National Order of the Legion of Honour by French president Hollande)
COMPOSITION:
VILLAGE: bouzy Grand cru
VARIETY: 100 % Pinot noir
SOIL: Terres de craie du Campanien
SURFACE: 0.6 ha
AGE OF VINES : more than 30 years
TILTING OF THE SOIL
WINEMAKING: 100 % in oak
AGEING: 8 months on lees
DOSAGE: 1 g/l
TASTING NOTES:
A powerful champagne, balanced by a serious vivacity. That is the global typicity of this champagne, representative of its origin, the heart of Bouzy
MONT MARTIN 1ER CRU
“Several of the tasters unanimously stated that it was their best pure Meunier wine ever. Points: 93”
(Richard Juhlin)
COMPOSITION:
VILLAGE: Villers Allerand 1er cru
VARIETY: 100 % Meunier
SOIL: Terres de marnes et calcaires du Thanetien
SURFACE: 1.8 ha
LABOUR DES SOILS
Approche des traitements par des méthodes biologiques, biodynamiques et plus classique si nécessaire.
Respect des rythmes de la plante.
