Break out the tonic- Beefeater 24, a premium handcrafted gin, launched with a bang at the Gibson.
By Kinne Chapin
For a “Mad Hatter Tea Party” at swanky pseudo-speakeasy The Gibson, guests were transported to a veritable Wonderland- but the focus wasn’t on the quirky decor or tea sandwiches. Instead, Media and industry insiders gathered to celebrate the DC launch of Beefeater 24, a superior label of Beefeater Gin which is only available in eight US cities.
In case the word “gin” has you thinking of sweater vests and cigars, let’s get one thing straight: Beefeater 24 is not your grandfather’s gin. At the recent DC launch of this handcrafted liquor, guests remarked on the subtlety of flavor- Spanish grapefruit peel and Japanese Sencha tea are just two of the twelve botanicals featured.
The brainchild of mater gin distiller Desmond Payne, Beefeater 24 even inspired DC’s premiere mixologist, Jonathan Harris of The Gibson, to create a signature cocktail. His creation, “Tomorrow Yesterday,” combines Beefeater 24 with the flavors of lemon verbena, myrtleberry, and bitters for a complex flavor you’ll be thinking about days later. Payne, who attended the launch along with Beefeater brand ambassador Dan Warner, gave his wholehearted approval to Harris’ creation.
Though the focus of Beefeater 24‘s DC launch may have been a more serious reflection on the alcohol’s flavor than the quirky Mad Hatter theme would suggest, the night wasn’t all about sincerity. Guests also munched on cupcakes and sipped cocktails from top-hatted bartenders while soaking up advice on all things gin from Warner, Harris, and Payne.
All attendees, from the novices to the experts, couldn’t stop talking about the complex flavors and sensuous depth of Beefeater 24– the gin didn’t disappoint.
So, next time you have the chance, make sure to sample Beefeater 24. The drink is truly a modern twist on London gin- and DC is one of the few places you can enjoy it!