Largest Grower of Taihaku Cherry Trees Unveils Seasonally Inspired Cherry Blossom Gin — And Only 250 Bottles Are Available

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The Alnwick Garden, an English mainstay known for its elaborate themed displays and famed "poison" garden, is paying homage to Japanese cherry blossom season with a new limited-edition gin. Located beside the Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England, the historic gardens are today home to the largest collection of Taihaku trees, known in English as the Great White Cherry. Reportedly saved from extinction by British ornithologist Collingwood "Cherry" Ingram, the tree is well regarded for its dense clusters of pure white flowers that turn bronze during autumn. Each spring, the Alnwick Gardens are smothered in falling petals as its 329 Taihaku trees come to bloom. Commemorating the occasion, the estate has teamed up with Durham Distillers for just 250 bottles of a new Cherry Blossom Gin. The bespoke blend is said to balance botanical notes of citrus, elderflower and ginger, flavors that "pair perfectly" with a classic tonic or soda.

"The Taihaku cherry blossom is synonymous with Japan, where ‘Hanami’ is celebrated every spring and people gather to enjoy the ‘transient beauty of flowers’," Victoria Watson, strategic head of catering, retail and hospitality at The Alnwick Garden told the Northumberland Gazette. "In Japan, cherry blossoms have a deep cultural significance, representing exquisite beauty and the fragility of life. By capturing the floral taste and smell of flowers in the gin, we hope to bring the magic of the orchard to life.”

Over the years, Alnwick Gardens has grown fond of seasonally inspired gin releases made with local ingredients. Last December, the estate drew crowds with a gin named after its headline attraction, the Poison Garden. Home to over 100 species of "dangerous, toxic and harmful" plants, including wolfsbane and opium poppy, Alnwick honored the display with a gin distilled from one its more overlooked species, the Medlar fruit. Tart and acidic when ripe, the fruits transform into a sweet custardy treat if left to properly overripen.

“The Alnwick Garden is a testament to plant history and its continuous mission of inspiring and educating about plants’ power to afflict, heal, and nurture. It is exciting to not only demonstrate how something as toxic as a ‘poisonous plant’ has had an impactful role to play in shaping human history – be it in warfare, medicine, but even with the humble gin and tonic," Victoria Watson said.

On the less dangerous side, Alnwick has also released an Apple and Rhubarb Gin, Garden Rose Gin and Gentlemen's Gin, all distilled using botanicals grown within the estate. If you'd like to learn more, find Alnwick's online shop here. [botmc-promo]