Silver Creek Distillery Launches Exciting New Prohibition Craft Gin Duo

First came Southern Moonshine and now, South Africa’s Silver Creek Craft Distillery has launched two new gins made in the same style as gin of America’s notorious Prohibition era.

The duo, the Prohibition Craft Gin and Prohibition Pink Gin, are produced in an old mine building in Gauteng’s Randfontein. The state-of-the-art Silver Creek Craft Distillery does everything by hand – from mashing and fermentation to distillation and bottling. This process allows for extra special care, which is why every bottle is signed by the distiller.

It takes more than just the right location, motivation and business know-how to bottle a great tasting gin. Sometimes, a little bit of outside inspiration goes a long way.

“Prohibition was a ban imposed on liquor through the campaigns of America’s ultra-conservative Temperance Movement of the early 1900s,” says Silver Creek Craft Distillery founder and chief distiller Mark Taverner. “The ban in 1920 created a very fertile environment for the illegal liquor trade and many entertaining tales of gin-making by the light of the moon and lively underground speakeasies. Business flourished for gang bosses and the likes of Al Capone made a fortune during this time. By today’s measure, it is estimated that he would have been worth over R16-billion.

Silver Creek Craft Distillery founder and chief distiller Mark Taverner.

“Prohibition only lasted for 13 years, ended by overwhelming objection. As you can imagine, this was time to party and everyone rose to the occasion. To this day, its death knell in 1933 is widely celebrated.

“To salute those who fought so gallantly to have the law revoked, our Prohibition Gin is made in the same traditional style as back then,” says Mark.

“We like to think of this particular style of gin as helping folk dance since 1933!”

Though the title of the two gins may pay tribute to the movement with which it shares a name, the stimulus for the recipe is much more personal. In setting off on the gin trail, Silver Creek’s distillers put their minds to making a clear craft gin in the New World style – fresh, crisp and happy; not too dry and infused with traditional botanicals of juniper, coriander, lemon, angelica and cinnamon.

“These would have been used in the time of Prohibition,” says Mark.

The resulting Prohibition Craft Gin, bottled at 43% alcohol, is a versatile spirit ideally suited to be further enhanced with botanicals, fresh fruit and herbs and good quality craft tonics. In the glass, Prohibition Craft Gin offers the immediate impression of balance with a fresh, crisp burst of citrus followed by lingering juniper and a hint of cinnamon. Citrus is again prominent on the dry palate, gently supported by the taste of juniper. The finish is defined by a crisp, clean smoothness that lingers with an earthy character.

The Prohibition Pink Gin, also at 43%, is Silver Creek’s Craft Gin further infused with raspberries and blueberries, with a touch of hibiscus flowers and rose water. The result is a refreshing drink that is both aromatic, flavoursome and romantic.

The new Prohibition Gins retail at around R360 a bottle and are available at selected bars, restaurants and liquor outlets around the country. Visit www.silvercreekdistillery.com for more information.