Boe Violet Gin
A distinctively floral and fragrant spirit, Boë Violet Gin offers a smooth taste of sweet violets, reminiscent of Parma Violets, balanced by a subtle, classic gin finish.
Type
Country
Producer
Featured Flavours
Alcohol %
41.5%
Serving Size
- 25ml
Suggested with
In Cocktails
Boe Violet Gin
Boe Violet Gin is a striking and aromatic spirit that offers a distinctively floral and subtly sweet tasting experience, setting it apart from traditional dry gins. Crafted in Scotland, its taste profile is a carefully orchestrated balance between classic gin botanicals and the dominant, fragrant character of violets, appealing to both seasoned gin enthusiasts and newcomers seeking a more approachable, flavoured spirit.
On the nose, Boe Violet Gin immediately presents an intense and captivating bouquet of fresh violets. This powerful floral aroma is reminiscent of Parma Violet sweets, yet it is nuanced with a delicate, natural perfume rather than being overly confectioned. Underlying this floral forefront are subtle hints of citrus zest and a gentle whisper of herbaceous juniper, which provide a classic gin backbone and prevent the aroma from becoming singularly floral. This creates an inviting and fragrant first impression that promises a unique tasting journey.
The palate delivers on the aromatic promise with a vibrant and smooth mouthfeel. The initial taste is a burst of sweet, floral violet that is both light and delicate. This is skilfully balanced by the more traditional gin flavours that emerge mid-palate; notes of piney juniper, coriander, and a subtle spice provide a welcome complexity and depth. A bright, clean citrus character, likely from lemon and orange peel botanicals, cuts through the sweetness, ensuring the gin remains refreshing and not cloying.
The finish is clean and long, leaving a lingering, pleasant sweetness and a final, fragrant whisper of violet. This harmonious interplay of floral, sweet, and classic gin notes makes Boë Violet Gin a versatile spirit, enjoyable with a simple tonic or as a colourful and flavourful base in a variety of cocktails.
The story of Boe Violet Gin is a modern chapter in the long history of gin, rooted in a blend of historical homage and contemporary innovation. The “Boë” brand itself is a tribute to the legendary 17th-century Dutch physician and scientist, Franz de la Boe (also known as Franciscus Sylvius). As the legend goes, in 1658, while searching for a medicinal tonic, Professor de la Boë infused a neutral grain spirit with juniper berries, creating what is widely considered to be the world’s first gin. It is this spirit of invention and discovery that the modern Scottish distillers, located in the village of Throsk near Stirling, sought to capture when they launched their brand.
The Boe Gin brand was established in 2008 by its parent company, VC2 Brands, with the aim of creating a high-quality, small-batch Scottish gin that stood out in a market on the cusp of a craft revolution. While their classic gin was well-received, it was the launch of Boe Violet Gin in 2016 that dramatically shaped the brand’s identity and propelled it to widespread popularity. This expression was a pioneering move in the UK’s burgeoning flavoured gin market, tapping into a growing consumer desire for spirits that were both visually striking and offered a unique flavour profile.
The creation of a violet-flavoured gin was not without historical precedent. Violet liqueurs, such as Crème de Violette, were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries and were a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Aviation. However, these liqueurs had largely fallen into obscurity by the mid-20th century. The team at Boe revived this floral flavour profile, infusing their classic Scottish gin with violets to create a spirit with a vibrant purple hue and a distinctive, fragrant taste.
The timing was perfect, aligning with the “gin renaissance” and the rise of social media, where its eye-catching colour made it an instant success. The launch of Boe Violet Gin was a defining moment, helping to popularise the flavoured gin category and establishing Boë as a standout, innovative name in the Scottish and wider UK gin scene.
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Boe is a modern Scottish gin brand that has masterfully blended a respect for history with a flair for contemporary innovation. Distilled in the village of Throsk, near Stirling, the brand takes its name and inspiration from Professor Franz de la Boe. As legend has it, the 17th-century Dutch physician created the very first gin while searching for a medicinal tonic. This spirit of discovery is central to the Boe philosophy, which combines a meticulously crafted classic Scottish gin with a pioneering approach to flavour. The core gin is made in small batches using 13 hand-selected botanicals, including rare spices like Grains of Paradise and Cubeb Berries, resulting in a clean, smooth, and characteristically spiced spirit that forms the foundation for its entire range.
While Boe was established in 2008, it was its bold venture into flavoured gins that propelled it to widespread fame and positioned it as a key player in the UK’s gin renaissance. The launch of its strikingly colourful and aromatic Boe Violet Gin in 2016 was a defining moment, capturing the public’s imagination and helping to ignite the trend for flavoured and coloured spirits. Building on this success, the brand has continued to innovate, introducing a vibrant portfolio that includes popular expressions like Passion Fruit, Apple & Lime, and Scottish Bramble. Boe has carved a niche by creating gins that are visually stunning, accessible, and bursting with flavour, successfully appealing to a new generation of gin drinkers and cementing its reputation as a standout brand that champions creativity and taste
