Discover award-winning gin from The Drunken Horse Bar – a distinctive spirit made by childhood friends in a horse trailer
Who would have thought that an old horse trailer could lead to the creation of an award-winning gin? Well, that’s exactly what happened when three childhood friends came together to launch The Drunken Horse Bar. The revolutionary yet ever-distinctive gin bar boasts a unique distillation process that utilises Nepalese Timut Pepper, resulting in a smooth gin with three flavour waves – citrus, earthy, and pepper notes. This is their story.
If you’re a traveller to Cape Town and a gin connoisseur, then you’ll definitely want to hear more about The Drunken Horse Bar. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the story behind this gin and what makes it so unique. So, let’s get started!
The Distinctive Flavour Profile
The Drunken Horse Gin is a truly distinctive spirit with a flavour profile like no other. It boasts three flavour waves that blend perfectly together – citrus, earthy, and spicy. The first wave is a fruity citrus taste from fresh lime, grapefruit, and lemongrass zest. The second wave is an earthy note from cardamom and coriander. Finally, the third wave finishes with a spicy note from three peppers, particularly the Timut pepper, which reconnects with the citric notes of the first wave.
The Nepalese Timut Pepper
One of the main ingredients that make The Drunken Horse Gin so unique is the Nepalese Timut Pepper. This pepper is handpicked by Nepalese farmers and has hints of grapefruit, lime, passionfruit, and jasmine. It grows on the Himalayan hillsides and is integral to the gin’s overall experience. The Timut Pepper perfectly complements the other botanicals and gives the gin its signature flavour.
The I-Still Distillation Process
The I-Still method is used to distil all 12 botanicals simultaneously, creating a constant reflux with over 1000 springs, resulting in a smooth and round flavour. The final product is collected after a cold front stage. This process allows the gin to retain its unique flavour and aroma, making it a favourite among gin lovers.
Sustainability Efforts
At The Drunken Horse Bar, sustainability is a top priority. They choose to distil in Belgium and South Africa, which lowers bulk transportation and contributes to a greener planet. They also strive to reduce their carbon footprint in other ways such as using recyclable packaging and reducing waste.
Remco and Tanja, owners of La Bonne Auberge, often head over to The Drunken Horse Gin bar for a quick refreshment and the great food served at the Avontuur Restaurant, La Colombe. Check out what they think about this quirky little distillery:
“We enjoyed the Set Menu in combination with the Gin Pairing together with friends. Hearing the origin story from the co-founder of Drunken Horse over a gin was fantastic and funny. The beautiful art that decorates the venue is also for sale. And of course, we learned how the gin is produced. The dinner was very, very tasty and the different gin variations went perfectly with the food. We really enjoyed the evening, the location, the company and the food and are happy to recommend the Drunken Horse Gin, as well as the option for a set menu, together with the owner.”
Visit The Drunken Horse Bar
If you’re visiting Cape Town and want to discover this award-winning gin, make sure to visit The Drunken Horse Bar at Avontuur Wine Estate. You can learn about the gin’s creation, explore the art gallery, and taste the gin’s three flavour waves. Signature cocktails are available at their cocktail bar, and they also host Friday “gin-downers” from 4-9 pm. On Sunday there are delightful picnics to be had.
Award-winning gin
The Drunken Horse Bar is a unique, award-winning gin that’s made by childhood friends who turned an old horse trailer into a mobile bar. Their innovative I-Still distillation process and use of Nepalese Timut Pepper make this gin truly distinctive. The three flavour waves – citrus, earthy, and pepper notes – blend perfectly together, creating a smooth and round flavour that gin lovers adore. But that’s not all; The Drunken Horse Bar also prioritises sustainability, making it a brand that’s easy to support. So, if you’re travelling to Cape Town, make sure to visit The Drunken Horse Bar and experience this award-winning gin for yourself!
Photo Credits: The Drunken Horse Gin website and Instagram
