Westcliff Gin Recognised a Winner - A Handcrafted, Copper Distilled Joburg Dry Gin that Heroes the City of Gold

Westcliff is an exquisite award winning copper pot distilled Joburg dry gin which now has not one but two awards for excellence – exciting recognition considering just how competitive the market has become since the resurgence of this once medicinal tincture. Named the Best Gin at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards at the end of last year, it also secured a Bronze Medal in the category best International Contemporary Gin in the 2017 American Distilling Institute’s (ADI) craft spirits competition.

A skilful infusion of interesting botanicals native to Africa, including Buchu leaves and IsiPhephetu (African Ginger), have been combined with traditional Gin botanicals to create this beautifully balanced floral gin with undertones of juniper and coriander. Made in the London dry tradition, it’s rested for two months before bottling and the result is a soft spirit that can be served simply over ice, or paired with interesting ingredients that enhance its profile.

A truly South African gin – Westcliff pays homage to the city of Gold. This is a gin inspired by the gold rush of 1884 and the rich heritage of gold that flows through the veins of the Joburg landscape.

The creator of Westcliff Gin – Jaqueline Grobler says, “This gin is the next chapter in my love affair with Joburg as a city. I wanted to develop a gin that heroes the heritage of gold, but has the fresh taste of a forest; the man-made forest of the Westcliff area. The most distinctive feature of this forest is the Jacaranda and it’s for this reason that the gin releases the sweet smell of spring – hints of green florals and new blooms.”

It’s best paired with gentle flavours that don’t overpower the more delicate tasting notes of this artisanal gin. Interesting flavours like those of Elderflower, Hibiscus, and Fever Tree tonic waters combine with Westcliff to create unique taste sensations. In fact most floral tonic waters–garnished with blueberries and thyme – work well with Westcliff.

Grobler’s favourite way to serve this gin is with pink tonic water and a small piece of Turkish delight. She says that this is the type of Gin that doesn’t need much to be enjoyed. Add a good tonic water and you have a beautifully refreshing drink made even better when taking in the Joburg landscape.

Adding to this Grobler says, “We believe we have captured the amazing energy of Joburg in a bottle. More than that, we have captured the energy and contrasts of the city in surprising ways.”

The packaging, striking in black and gold, continues the theme and the background design on the label is a deconstructed Swe-Swe pattern. Sophisticated and elegant – the overall finish is timeless.

Westcliff is currently available for around R400 from select bottle stores, bars and restaurants nationwide.

Westcliff RecipesWestcliff Gin with Cherries and Pomegranate40ml Westcliff Gin5ml grenadine5ml Cherry syruppink Tonic waterFresh PomegranateFresh CherriesWestcliff Gin, lime and soda50ml Westcliff GinJuice of 1 lime (or to taste)3/4 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)Soda water or sparkling mineral waterOrange-Vanilla BittersGarnish to taste

Learn how to make a delicious Westcliff gin cocktail with Hibiscus tea, Watermelon syrup and fresh watermelon – watch here: https://www.facebook.com/westcliffgin/videos/1967278676848000/

The Inspiration Behind Westcliff Gin:Angel Heart Beverages is a uniquely South African brand in a class all of its own and originally was created through a powerful fusion of passion and palate! The brainchild of Jacqueline Grobler, supported by her partner Jaco, the dynamism of this duo could not be stopped. From the very beginning, they were clear in their intention - wanting not only to produce and distil bespoke alcoholic products but to offer experiences. “We are not interested in selling “booze” – we sell experiences,” says Grobler who truly is an artist. When developing her products she pours her energy into each formulation. Never following a recipe nor a predetermined formulae or process; Grobler composes her gin. Like a symphony – she adds notes that come together to create something unique and quite magical; a matchless taste sensation.

“We want people to feel something when they drink our products,” she says adding that there’s nothing more gratifying than pouring a drink for customers and seeing their eyes light up as they experience one of her cocktails for the first time. Often sublime – always unique. That’s the way this artist creates. The idea behind the rapidly expanding business was first born several years ago, when Grobler’s partner, who had always held a fascination for the magic of distilling, built a copper still. The year was 2010 and sitting on the floor in their garage, using an old copper kettle, he handcrafted and fashioned a rustic but fine looking still. Quite a rare skill by anyone’s standards, not to mention for a CA in the corporate world!

“The alchemical process of transforming one element into another truly is magical to experience and it never gets old,” says Grobler.

An extremely talented individual, Grobler has always had a wide range of interests, across a variety of subjects; from the science behind food, to growing and using her own herbs, vegetables and spices. With a background in fine jewellery design, Grobler has an eye for beauty, balance and the unusual. With mmaculate taste, and a creative at heart, shaping something beautiful is what makes her heart race. It’s not surprising therefore that anything she puts her hand to has touches of enchantment and when she shares her story – which she says is just an extension of the couple’s combined skills, she is animated and incredibly passionate.

“We will never just be a company chasing a bottom line. We only release a product when it’s ready and this can mean going back to the drawing board again and again to refine the process. From a Sunday afternoon idea that was born in our kitchen, it took an incredible amount of work and passion to get to the point we now find ourselves.”

At Angel Heart Beverages everything is done in house and they distil, blend and bottle on site. In touch with their audience and recognising the power of experience, Grobler has developed a tasting room at their distillery where they accommodate groups, tutor them in the art of making gin, and at the same time introduce them to other products in the stable.