From Latvia With Love - A Herbaceous Hug in a Bottle

Every now and then, a gin comes along that doesn't just fit a flavour profile - it tells a story. And Cross Keys Gin, crafted in the heart of Latvia, doesn't so much tell a story as it enchants one. This is gin for those who want more than a zippy citrus hit - it's for the romantics, the foragers, the seekers of complexity. Earthy, herbaceous, and steeped in Old World soul, it's not here to play it safe. It's here to seduce your senses one sip at a time.

Let's start with its roots - literal and figurative. Cross Keys comes from Latvijas Balzams, a historic distillery with centuries of Baltic alchemy under its belt. Known best for the bittersweet icon Riga Black Balsam, these folks know their botanicals inside out. With Cross Keys, they've turned their gaze to gin - and the result is a spirit that bridges the old-world charm of a medieval herbalist's cabinet with the precision of modern craft.

At first glance, the bottle sets the tone. It's dark, weighty, and monastic - like it holds something sacred. Inside? A gin built on a classic juniper backbone, but expanded with native flora: chamomile, linden blossom, anise, caraway, and a kiss of black pepper. This isn't a fruit-forward, "easy" gin. It's structured, spicy, and evocative - a stroll through a wildflower-strewn meadow edged by pine forest, with the smoke of a distant bonfire curling through the air.

On the nose, it's floral in a grounding way - not perfumy or cloying, but softly aromatic. Chamomile and linden lead, giving you a warm, tea-like invitation, before a crackle of pepper and piney juniper reminds you this is still a proper gin. 

On the palate, it's layered and generous. You get a touch of sweetness from the florals, the earthy warmth of caraway, and a spice that builds slowly - never harsh, but assertive, like a good argument you can't help but agree with. The finish? Long, herbal, and faintly resinous, like the aftertaste of a crisp walk in the woods.

Now, how to serve it? This is a gin that thrives with intention.

In a G&T, it needs a tonic that complements rather than competes - think Fever-Tree Mediterranean or Elderflower. Skip the lime and reach for orange peel, star anise, or even a sprig of thyme to mirror that woodland spice.

In cocktails, Cross Keys is a flavour amplifier. A Bee's Knees made with this gin is golden-hour bliss: honey, lemon, and that soft herbal hum. Want something bolder? Try it in a herbal Negroni, swapping sweet vermouth for something drier or amaro-based. The gin holds its own, bringing nuance where others bring noise.

For the purists, a Martini with Cross Keys is a revelation - but don't oversaturate it with vermouth. Keep it lean, ice-cold, and finish with a lemon twist or, if you dare, a fennel frond.

This is a gin that asks you to pause. To taste, not just drink. To notice the way flavour lingers and morphs. It's complex without being showy. Earthy but elegant. More dark velvet cloak than little black dress.

Who's it for? If you like your gins classic with a twist, or you're a fan of styles like Monkey 47, Ki No Bi, or even The Botanist, this will feel like a kindred spirit. And if you're tired of pink gins and candy-citrus explosions? Cross Keys will restore your faith. It's gin for grown-ups, for thinkers, for those who understand that quiet power speaks volumes."