MOMBASA CLUB 41,5°
Mombasa Club Gin is distilled using traditional methods, with the botanicals immersed in the spirit and batch distillation, using neutral alcohol that has previously been distilled four times and with a selection of natural ingredients (Angelica root, cassia bark, coriander seed, juniper berries, clove and cumin)
Bright, clear, water white.
On the nose, it unveils the subtlety of the most exotic botanic species; Angelica root, Cassia bark, coriander seed. Wrapped in slightly spicy aromas of clove and cumin and with a very notable, long-lasting background of juniper berries.
Slightly sweet on the tongue with a well-balanced unfolding in the mouth. Strong herbal notes, light citric tones and the traditional botanic species already mentioned, with a long, bitter finish.
Mombasa (technically an Island) is found in South East Kenya and is the country’s second largest city. It is a naturally deep seaport on the Indian Ocean creating important trade links for the East coast of Africa. From the 1600’s to the late 1800’s it faced a turbulent tug of war for ownership between the Arabic State of Oman and Portugal, predominately for the possession of the port, and subsequent control of trade. In 1885 it was agreed the British Empire would help protect Kenya to maintain peace and stability, creating the British East Africa Protectorate of Kenya. This lasted until 1920 when the Colony of Kenya was established and finally, in 1963 it gained full independence, becoming the Republic of Kenya.
It was with the establishment of the East African Protectorate, with Mombasa as it’s capital, that the Army Officers, engineers (building a railway to Uganda), Civil Servants, Royal Naval Officers etc. needed a social gathering place. Thus in 1885 the members only “Mombasa Club” was born. Now, where the British went Gin was sure to follow, due to making it with Tonic Water to combat Malaria. So the Club had their own Gin made in England, bottled and shipped to Mombasa for the consumption and enjoyment of its members. We have no information as to when the Mombasa Club ceased having it’s own Gin made. However, we can elicit from Unesdi they use the same original 1888 recipe and we believe they launched this in or around 2010.
The Mombasa Club is still thriving, although it exists among a different environment today. Mombasa is a thriving tourist hub with sandy beaches and resort hotels to the North and South. There are also popular tourist destinations 50 miles to the south: a Marine National Park and a small group of Islands (including Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania) often referred to as the Spice Islands.
Thames Distillers is run by Charles Maxwell who is the 8th generation of the family (founders of the Finsbury Distillery) who have been producing Gin since 1700 – making them the oldest unbroken lineage in Gin distillation.
www.mombasagin.com