PROJECT WILD WEST
THE ILLUSIONIST DISTILLER'S EDITION 2024
where cactus meets bourbon
This year, we were drawn to the wild west in search of something truly unique, beyond the borders of Europe. Fables, myths and stories is what drives us to a destination like Nevada, a place long steeped in urban myths as well as curious stories of the desert. From these stories we draw inspiration for new recipes, incorporating age old culinary practices with strange, unique, and singular botanicals of the land.
GIN MEETS THE DESERT
Beyond the shimmering lights and bustling casinos of Las Vegas, are fables as old as the land itself, inspiring a recipe of exotic botanicals. It is in this arid desert of rugged terrain where the strangest of plant-life exist. Exotic succulents with radical survival methods producing unexpected flavour and aroma profiles.
Prickly pear cactus and aloe represent the heroes of this year's Distiller's Edition along with a beautiful woody component of bourbon, an ingredient that is just as synonymous with Nevada as its yellow sands.
HERO BOTANICALS
The vibrant Opuntia, also known as the Prickly Pear Cactus, contributes a unique duality to our gin distillate. The succulent fruit offers a subtly sweet, melon-like flavor with delicate hints of berry. Meanwhile, the tender leaves (Nopales), impart a faintly tart and earthy undertone.
The addition of Bourbon cask lends our gin a rich, oaky depth that layers complexity onto the botanical mix. This warm, woody character melds seamlessly with the gin's vibrant botanicals, adding a sophisticated, aged dimension to the overall profile.
Aloe, celebrated for its cooling and soothing properties, brings a refined, herbal freshness to our gin. Its delicate, slightly bitter flavor profile is reminiscent of cucumber and citrus zest, introducing a crisp, clean note that complements and enhances the more robust botanical characters.
