Mermaid Original Gin 750ML

Mermaid Original Gin 750ML is a small-batch English gin distilled on the Isle of Wight at 42% ABV (84 proof). An IWSC Gold Medal winner, this expression stands apart from mainstream gins through its use of hand-foraged rock samphire — a coastal botanical known locally as "mermaid's kiss" — harvested from the island's sea cliffs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42%  |  Origin: Isle of Wight, England  |  Style: Contemporary Botanical Gin  |  Distillery: Isle of Wight Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Isle of Wight Distillery produces Mermaid Gin in small batches using copper pot distillation, with each run yielding a limited quantity of approximately 420 bottles. The botanical bill centers on juniper, coriander seed, fresh lemon zest, grains of paradise, and locally grown Boadicea hops — a heritage hop variety cultivated on the island — alongside angelica, liquorice, orris, and elderflower. The defining ingredient is rock samphire, a succulent coastal plant hand-foraged from the Isle of Wight's shoreline cliffs. The distillery requires roughly 75 kilos of samphire annually, and its briny, vegetal character gives Mermaid Gin a distinctly maritime fingerprint that no synthetic flavoring can replicate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Clean juniper leads the nose, followed by a briny, herbaceous lift from the rock samphire — evoking sea air and coastal greenery. Underneath, citrus peel and a faint peppery warmth from the grains of paradise add complexity.

Taste: The palate opens with bright lemon zest and crisp juniper before the mid-palate introduces a savory, almost mineral quality driven by the samphire. The texture is medium-bodied with a smooth, slightly oily mouthfeel, while Boadicea hops contribute a subtle earthy bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Dry and peppery with a gentle coastal salinity that lingers. The finish is long and layered, rounding off with a well-balanced mouthfeel that rewards slow sipping.

How to Drink Mermaid Gin

Neat or over ice, the gin's coastal character comes through most clearly — a splash of chilled water opens up the samphire and elderflower notes without diluting the juniper backbone. For a classic Gin & Tonic, pair with a light Indian tonic and a sprig of fresh rosemary to mirror the herbaceous profile. A Martini highlights the gin's mineral, saline edge, making it an excellent dry Martini base with a lemon twist rather than an olive. In a Tom Collins, the citrus zest and peppery spice amplify the cocktail's lemon-forward structure with unexpected depth. A Gimlet also works beautifully, as the lime juice plays off the samphire's natural brininess.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who has tried every mainstream London Dry
• Summer entertaining where a distinctive G&T sparks conversation
• Collectors seeking award-winning small-batch gins with provenance
• Coastal-themed tasting nights alongside seafood and crudité spreads

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mermaid Gin taste like? Mermaid Gin delivers bright lemon zest and crisp juniper up front, transitioning into a savory, mineral mid-palate with peppery spice and a distinctive hint of sea air from the rock samphire botanical.

How does Mermaid Gin compare to Hendrick's Gin? Both are premium small-batch gins, but their botanical directions differ significantly — Hendrick's is defined by cucumber and rose petal, producing a floral, garden-fresh character, while Mermaid Gin leans into savory, maritime territory with its rock samphire, grains of paradise, and Boadicea hops. Drinkers who prefer a more herbaceous, saline gin profile will likely gravitate toward Mermaid.

Is Mermaid Gin good for cocktails? Its medium body, citrus brightness, and underlying saline note make it a versatile cocktail gin, particularly well-suited to Martinis, Gimlets, and elevated Gin & Tonics where its coastal character can shine.

Where is Mermaid Gin made? Mermaid Gin is distilled at the Isle of Wight Distillery on the Isle of Wight, a small island off the southern coast of England. The rock samphire used in production is hand-foraged directly from the island's coastal cliffs.

What foods pair well with Mermaid Gin? Fresh oysters and raw shellfish mirror its briny, coastal quality. Smoked salmon canapés complement the juniper and citrus. Grilled white fish with samphire creates a natural echo of the gin's signature botanical. Aged goat cheese balances the peppery spice, and ceviche amplifies the citrus and mineral notes.

What sizes does Mermaid Gin come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Mermaid Gin worth the price? Mermaid Gin positions as a premium small-batch gin, and its limited production runs of roughly 420 bottles per batch, hand-foraged botanicals, and multiple international awards — including an IWSC Gold Medal — provide tangible justification within that tier.

Why Mermaid Gin?

What separates Mermaid Gin from the crowded premium gin landscape is ingredient provenance that directly shapes flavor. The hand-foraged rock samphire is not a marketing footnote — it is the botanical that gives this gin its briny, coastal signature, and the annual supply of just 75 kilos naturally caps production volume. Recognition from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (Gold Medal) and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Gold) confirms that the liquid delivers at the level the story promises. For drinkers seeking a gin rooted in a specific place — one where the terroir of the Isle of Wight is genuinely present in the glass — Mermaid is one of the few expressions that earns that claim honestly.