Local Hong Kong craft distillery N.I.P. Distillers has launched a second gin featuring Chinese tea.

Hong Kong craft distillery N.I.P. has made a name for itself in the city with its distinctive rare dry gin, which is made from 21 botanicals, and Catnip Gin No 1 (Phoenix Orchid), which incorporates Chinese tea into the recipe for a hint of peach and tropical fruit. Now they’re back again with the second issue of the Catnip Gin, Da Pong Hao, a tea with hints of caramel, vanilla and stone fruits.

The new craft gin features premium oolong tea from Da Hong Pao from the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious cliff-grown teas in Wuyi, China. Da Hong Pao is recognisable by its unique orchid fragrance and mineral, fruity palate with hints of caramel, vanilla and stone fruits, and a long-lasting sweet after-taste. To complement the tea, N.I.P. has added three other key ingredients: juniper berries, coriander seeds and mandarin for a harmonious mix of tea, fruits and spices.

If, like us, you’re intrigued by the idea of a cask aged gin, the distillery also has one of those in its range. Matured in a French oak barrel, with several festive botanicals including cinnamon, ginger and orange peel, the N.I.P. Limited Edition – Cask Aged Gin 2022 gin has notes of dark fruits, chocolate and citrus.

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