Indigo Gin 1L

Indigo Gin 1L is a Canadian craft gin bottled at 42.5% ABV in a 1-liter format, distinguished by its natural indigo hue derived from butterfly pea blossom. Winner of a Double Gold at the 2018 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge and rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression has earned serious recognition since its debut.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42.5%  |  Origin: British Columbia, Canada  |  Contemporary Style Gin  |  Distillery: Victoria Distillers

Production & Heritage

Indigo Gin is produced at Victoria Distillers in Sidney, British Columbia, and draws its signature character from a collaboration with the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel. The gin is handcrafted in small-batch copper-pot stills using a non-GMO corn base spirit, infused with eight organic botanicals: juniper, butterfly pea blossom, a proprietary Fairmont Empress House Tea blend, rose petal, coriander seed, grapefruit peel, ginger root, and cinnamon bark. The butterfly pea blossom is the defining ingredient — it produces the striking natural indigo color that shifts to a vivid pink when citrus or tonic water is added, a reaction driven by the blossom's pH-sensitive anthocyanin pigments.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with wet herbs and cracked pepper before softening into delicate floral tones and citrus pith. A subtle earthiness from the butterfly pea blossom and tea blend anchors the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is mild and slightly malty, quickly giving way to grapefruit zest and coriander at mid-palate. A sweet violet perfume emerges alongside warm ginger and cinnamon spice, building toward a round, almost glycerol mouthfeel that sets it apart from drier London Dry styles.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering floral notes, subtle juniper, and a whisper of white pepper. The warmth from ginger and cinnamon fades gently, leaving a clean, slightly sweet impression.

How to Drink Indigo Gin

Neat or over a single large ice cube, the gin reveals its full botanical complexity and striking indigo color. Adding tonic triggers the signature color change, making a simple gin and tonic visually dramatic. Gin & Tonic: The color shift from indigo to pink makes this a natural fit — use a quality Indian tonic and a grapefruit wheel to echo the citrus notes. French 75: The floral rose and tea elements complement the champagne and lemon, adding depth to this classic. Bee's Knees: Honey and lemon juice amplify the ginger warmth and citrus character already present in the gin.

Best For

• Hosting cocktail evenings where visual presentation matters
• Gifting to gin enthusiasts who appreciate unique botanical profiles
• Building a craft gin collection with distinctive regional expressions
• Introducing someone to gin beyond traditional London Dry styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Indigo Gin taste like? Indigo Gin delivers a floral and gently spiced profile, led by grapefruit zest, rose petal, and coriander, with warm undertones of ginger and cinnamon. It has a round, slightly sweet mouthfeel rather than the dry, juniper-forward punch of a classic London Dry.

How does Indigo Gin compare to Hendrick's Gin? Both are contemporary-style gins that lean floral rather than juniper-heavy, but Indigo Gin uses butterfly pea blossom and tea as primary botanicals versus Hendrick's signature cucumber and rose infusion. Indigo also sits slightly higher at 42.5% ABV compared to Hendrick's 41.4%, and its color-changing property is a significant point of distinction.

Is Indigo Gin good for cocktails? Absolutely — its balanced, floral-forward profile and natural color-change effect make it a standout in gin and tonics, spritzes, and citrus-driven classics like the French 75. The visual transformation when mixed with acidic ingredients adds a presentation element that few other gins offer.

Where is Indigo Gin made? Indigo Gin is produced by Victoria Distillers, located in Sidney, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, Canada. The distillery is known for small-batch, copper-pot still production with a focus on local and organic botanicals.

What foods pair well with Indigo Gin? Smoked salmon or gravlax complements the citrus and herbal notes. Soft goat cheese echoes the floral character. Thai-style dishes with lemongrass and ginger mirror the gin's warm spice. Grapefruit-dressed salads pick up on the peel botanical. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage pairs well with the earthy tea and blossom notes.

What sizes does Indigo Gin come in? Indigo Gin is available in a standard 750ml bottle and the 1-liter format featured here, which provides added volume for regular entertaining or cocktail use.

Is Indigo Gin worth the price? Indigo Gin positions as a premium craft gin, justified by its small-batch copper-pot distillation, organic botanicals, and award-winning pedigree including a Double Gold medal and a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast. Within the contemporary gin category, it delivers both distinctive flavor and visual appeal that few competitors at a similar tier can match.

Why Indigo Gin?

The butterfly pea blossom infusion is not a gimmick — it contributes a genuine earthy, floral dimension to the botanical blend while producing a natural color change that has no artificial additives behind it. Backed by a Double Gold at the 2018 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge and a Gold at the 2017 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, the gin has proven itself in blind judging alongside the category's best. The collaboration with the Fairmont Empress Hotel gives it a heritage story rooted in over a century of tea tradition, translated into a modern spirit. For drinkers looking beyond conventional gin profiles, this expression stands on genuine craftsmanship and measurable critical approval.