Damson Eau de Vie 2020
True fresh damson, rich, sweet spices, hints of cocoa, deep bass and contrasting fine floral high notes with discreet hints of almond.
375ml | 43% ABV | Edition of 379 bottles
Wild & complex
The Damascene or Damson is a plum that seems to express its wild and exotic nature in its very appearance and flavour. Small and dusky skinned, tannic, rich and exuberant. More closely related to wild plums than domestic, its journey to our shores was a long and ancient one along the spice route.
Once naturalised it became a darling of the culinary world with a huge industry around it. Unfortunately it is now a rarity. We find our damsons in the Styan family farm in the microclimate of the Vale of Evesham, considered the absolute epitome for plum cultivation in the UK. Hand graded, gently fermented, with all stones hand sieved from the fruit just before distillation.
We achieve an exquisite balance with around 24kg of fruit in each litre of eau de vie.
The aroma is deep, rich and complex, beautifully balanced and compact. To taste, full ripe damson is lifted with hints of redcurrant, sweet and sour, with a touch of wood spice. It has the depth of true fresh damson, rich, sweet spices, hints of cocoa, deep bass and contrasting fine floral high notes with discreet hints of almond.
★★★★★
“It’s an extraordinary project, and there should be more people out there pushing the envelop like he [Barney] is.”
Honey Spencer. Wine consultant & head sommelier, Evelyn’s Table.