Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin is the floral second act from Victoria Distillers — the Sidney, British Columbia house behind the famous indigo Empress 1908. Nine botanicals, led by elderflower, red rose petals and lavender over juniper, orange peel, cinnamon and coriander, are distilled in copper pot stills and tinted a natural ruby rose by rose petals and black carrot. Bottled at 42.5% ABV (85 proof) in 750mL. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 42.5% (85 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Botanicals: 9 — juniper, elderflower, red rose petals, lavender, orange peel, orris root, cinnamon, coriander, black carrot
- Colour: all-natural rose from rose petals + black carrot (no butterfly pea, no colour-change effect)
- Distillery: Victoria Distillers, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
- Released: September 2023
The City of Gardens Gin
Victoria calls itself the City of Gardens — flowers bloom year-round and hang from the lampposts — and this gin is its tribute. Unlike the original Empress, the colour here doesn't come from butterfly pea and won't shift with citrus; the red-violet hue is drawn entirely from rose petals and black carrot, and the distillery recommends drinking an opened bottle within a year to keep the colour vivid. The profile is floral through and through: elderflower nectar, rose water, lavender and citrus over a juniper backbone. Explore more gin, browse Empress 1908, or try the original Empress Indigo lineup at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand: rich aroma with an understated floral palate, citrus and spice, a hint of sweetness. Reviewers find elderflower and lavender first, with cinnamon, pine, black pepper and a long elderflower finish; 87 points from Tastings.com.
How to Enjoy
The brand's serve: the Blossom & Tonic — gin, premium tonic, fresh orange slice. Also built for a French 75, a Negroni Rosa, or a garden-party spritz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose pink?
Natural pigments from red rose petals and black carrot — no artificial colour, and no butterfly pea.
Does it change colour like the original Empress?
No — only the butterfly-pea original shifts with citrus; this one keeps its rose hue.
What is the ABV?
42.5% (85 proof).
Floral, ruby-hued, and unmistakably Empress — order the Elderflower Rose Gin online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.