Empress 1908 Indigo Gin 750ML

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin 750ML is a 42.5% ABV small-batch botanical gin from Victoria Distillers in British Columbia, Canada, in a 750ml bottle. Awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression is distinguished by its vivid indigo color — derived from butterfly pea blossom — which shifts to pink when mixed with tonic or citrus, a reaction caused by pH-sensitive anthocyanin pigments in the petals.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42.5% (85 proof)  |  Origin: British Columbia, Canada  |  Style: Contemporary Botanical Gin  |  Distillery: Victoria Distillers

Production & Heritage

Victoria Distillers, based on the shores of Sidney, British Columbia, micro-distills Empress 1908 in small-batch copper-pot stills using a corn base spirit. The botanical bill includes eight ingredients: juniper, grapefruit peel, coriander seed, ginger root, rose, cinnamon bark, butterfly pea blossom, and a proprietary tea blend sourced from the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria — the hotel from which the gin takes its name and its "1908" designation, referencing the hotel's founding year. The butterfly pea blossom is infused separately and blended in after distillation, preserving both its color and its subtle earthy, floral character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with classic juniper and bright grapefruit peel, followed by quieter notes of coriander seed and a faint floral lift. It reads relatively restrained — more traditional London Dry in character than the dramatic color suggests.

Taste: Entry is smooth and malty, with juniper and citrus establishing themselves immediately. Ripe, slightly boiled grapefruit and resinous juniper cones take hold at mid-palate, while earthy coriander, green tea, and a bulky dry cinnamon bark develop toward the back. Subtle floral notes from the butterfly pea blossom and rose weave through without dominating, keeping the profile balanced and decidedly gin-forward.

Finish: Medium-long and elegant, with lingering grapefruit freshness and a dry cinnamon edge. White pepper and earthy tea leaves stew quietly on the palate as the spirit fades.

How to Drink Empress 1908

Neat or over a single large ice cube, the gin shows its juniper backbone and tea-driven complexity most clearly. The real theater, however, begins when you add tonic or citrus — triggering the indigo-to-pink color shift. Gin & Tonic: The classic pairing that showcases the color transformation while the tonic's quinine amplifies the grapefruit and cinnamon notes. French 75: The lemon juice turns the gin pink in the flute, and the citrus-juniper core stands up well against champagne's acidity. Bee's Knees: Honey syrup rounds out the dry cinnamon and coriander, while lemon juice activates the color change for a visually stunning classic cocktail.

Best For

• Hosting cocktail nights where visual presentation matters as much as flavor
• Gifting to a gin enthusiast who values unique production techniques
• Introducing someone to craft gin through an approachable, juniper-forward profile
• Building an Instagram-worthy home bar with genuinely well-made spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Empress 1908 taste like? Empress 1908 tastes more like a classic gin than its color implies — juniper and grapefruit peel lead, supported by dry cinnamon bark, earthy coriander, and a subtle tea-like complexity from the Fairmont Empress blend. It is smooth, balanced, and decidedly citrus-forward.

How does Empress 1908 compare to Bombay Sapphire? Both are juniper-and-citrus-driven gins at similar price points, but Empress 1908 runs slightly higher in ABV at 42.5% versus Bombay Sapphire's 47% (or 40% in some markets) and incorporates butterfly pea blossom and tea, which add earthy and floral dimensions Bombay Sapphire does not have. The color-changing property also gives Empress a visual element that is unique in the category.

Is Empress 1908 good for cocktails? Empress 1908 is excellent in cocktails, particularly any drink that includes citrus or tonic water, which triggers the signature indigo-to-pink color shift while the gin's juniper-citrus backbone holds its own against other ingredients.

Where is Empress 1908 made? Empress 1908 is micro-distilled at Victoria Distillers in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. The distillery sits on the waterfront of Vancouver Island, and the gin's tea botanical is sourced from the nearby Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria.

What foods pair well with Empress 1908? Smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés complement the gin's grapefruit and coriander notes. Lemon tarts echo the citrus profile while matching the botanical sweetness. Thai green papaya salad mirrors the ginger root and coriander. Soft-ripened cheeses like brie balance the dry cinnamon and juniper. Dark chocolate with candied ginger amplifies the gin's spice and earthy tea character.

What sizes does Empress 1908 come in? Empress 1908 Indigo Gin is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with some markets also carrying a 375ml half-bottle format.

Is Empress 1908 worth the price? Empress 1908 positions as a mid-premium craft gin, and its 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating, copper-pot small-batch distillation, and genuinely unique color-changing property give it a strong value argument within its tier — particularly for anyone who values both presentation and substance.

Why Empress 1908?

What separates Empress 1908 from the wave of flavored and colored gins that have flooded the market is that it genuinely tastes like gin. The juniper-grapefruit-coriander core would stand on its own merit in a blind tasting — the butterfly pea blossom adds a layer of earthy complexity without pulling the spirit into flavored-vodka territory. The 90-point Wine Enthusiast score and silver medal at the 2019 New York International Spirits Competition confirm that critics evaluate it as a serious gin, not a novelty. At 42.5% ABV and micro-distilled in copper pot stills, it has enough weight and character for a proper Martini yet remains approachable enough to anchor a casual G&T — one that happens to turn pink when you squeeze in a lime.