Sloe Gin - where to source Gin

[The Lukas]

I'm making a bigger batch of Sloe Gin

I need 25ltrs or more of a gin that is inexpensive yet of a quality that is usable so as to cause a health risk. Amy suggestions as to where I can obtain this product? Thanks

[Simpo Two]

The Lukas said:

a quality that is usable so as to cause a health risk.

'not'?

Or are you setting up a pub in compettion with Sweeney Todd barbers?

[PugwasHDJ80]

if you find a source can you let me know please- could do with making another 5l of my own!

Do know that its very very very cheap in Andorra- even the good stuff is silly at about £3/litres

[The Lukas]

Simpo Two said:

'not'?

Or are you setting up a pub in compettion with Sweeney Todd barbers?

Oh of course. I forgot to place that in, how silly of me

[Wadeski]

buy 1.5L optic bottles of standard gin from Costco or similar.

Grant's Gin is a perfectly fine standard london gin, you can probably get Gordons on promotion very cheaply too.

[Mobile Chicane]

Asda own label.

This is truly horrible and you would never drink it otherwise, but the tannin in the sloes softens it.

I can't remember exactly how much this cost, but it was definitely less than £10 a bottle.

[Mark Benson]

Mobile Chicane said:

Asda own label.

This is truly horrible and you would never drink it otherwise, but the tannin in the sloes softens it.

I can't remember exactly how much this cost, but it was definitely less than £10 a bottle.

We used Netto (or was it Aldi, I can't remember, frightening place with a lot of processed food on pallets and fellow customers for whom Asda would constitute going upmarket), they conveniently put it out still in the cases and no-one bats an eye when you put a couple of cases on gin on the checkout conveyor belt, last year we paid £7ish a bottle I think.
When you're dumping that much flavour and sugar into it, it doesn't have to be quality stuff.

[FaineantFreddy]

Never mind sourcing the gin - I'm still trying to find a source of sloes! Always looking in local hedgerows but never seem to find any.

We're even thinking of planting our own next year!

[Pete Franklin]

Sloes grow like weeds in my neck of the woods- no problems finding enough for jumbo quants of sloe gin.

Have you considered using vodka instead? it wont make much difference because the sloes will overide the flavour of the gin anyway (you'll probably get a better sloe flavour). cheap vodka tends to be cheaper than cheap gin.

[otolith]

Mark Benson said:

We used Netto (or was it Aldi, I can't remember, frightening place with a lot of processed food on pallets and fellow customers for whom Asda would constitute going upmarket)

I had exactly that experience last weekend, buying gin for putting sloes in and sherry for putting chillies in. I picked up a bottle of Asda's own brand gin too, I don't think Aldi was actually any cheaper.

[rolando]

For best results, sloes should not be picked until after the first frost. Apparently that causes some of the tannin in the fruit to return to the bush. I expect that some will dispute this.

I've got a batch of damson gin on the go. Should be able to raid a bottle for Christmas but plan to keep most maturing for next year.

Gin - I use Tesco's.

[otolith]

The first frost busts the cell walls in the fruit, helping the flavour to come out in the gin.

Cheats just stick their sloes in the freezer overnight.