[Updated 06 July 2021]

Six Dogs Karoo gin was the very first product to come out of Six Dogs Distillery. It took exactly 187 iterations and over two years of trials to get this gin perfectly balanced and to our liking! Here are more fun facts that you may or may not know about Six Dogs Karoo gin.

Why is it called Six Dogs ‘Karoo’ gin?

Our farm, where our gin is made, intersects three different bioregions including the succulent Karoo. This region comprises of vast, semi-arid desert and is home to some of the richest succulent flora. It is from here that we gather the Karoo thorn flower and wild lavender that make our gin unique amongst all the gins in the world.

What do you use as the base for Six Dogs Karoo gin?

We use a neutral cane spirit as it doesn’t have much smell or taste, which means the aromas of our Karoo botanicals can come through beautifully.

What are the distinguishing botanicals in Six Dogs Karoo gin?

Six Dogs Karoo is a delicate and balanced gin of twelve select botanicals, including the Karoo thorn flower (known as a ‘doringboom’ or ‘soetdoring’ in Afrikaans), wild lavender and farm-grown lemon buchu.

What is lemon buchu?

Known as South Africa’s “miracle herb”, lemon buchu is an ingenious plant with a refreshing citrus flavour. Buchu is known for its health benefits and is often used to treat inflammation.

Where do you source your botanicals for Six Dogs Karoo gin?

six dogs karoo gin

The distinguishing botanicals are grown on our farm in the little valley of De Wet, nestled between the Breede River Valley and the Hex River Valley in the Western Cape province of South Africa. We use some of these wild plants in our gin, also growing our own botanicals whilst supporting neighbouring farmers who grow specific fruit for us. Our master distiller is often seen picking wild lavender and lemon buchu from the farm in the early morning so that the botanicals are at their freshest for distilling.

What is the overall taste sensation of Six Dogs Karoo?

Six Dogs Karoo is a London Dry style gin. Sip it and you will pick up the paired notes of juniper and wild lavender that introduce the Karoo. What follows is a fresh medley of citrus including limes, mandarins and farm-grown lemon buchu.

What is London Dry gin?

This is a style of gin-making whereby the gin is distilled in one shot with all of the flavours coming through the distillation via the natural botanicals used in the process. The resultant distillate must be above 70% alcohol by volume, which gives the gin its dry profile. Nothing should be added after the distillation except for water.

What’s the best way to enjoy it?

six dogs karoo gin

Six Dogs Karoo can be enjoyed neat over ice or with a splash of good Indian tonic. As the flavours of this gin are delicate and balanced, it needs no garnish. However if you must add garnish, we recommend a wedge of lime or an orange rind.

What else is unique to Six Dogs Karoo?

It’s because of Six Dogs Karoo that the Six Dogs team was invited to hold the international bursary spot at Junipalooza gin festival in London in 2018. The festival owners described Karoo as “nothing short of a holiday in a glass” and wrote a truly humbling review.

 

Want to try Six Dogs Karoo for yourself? You can make a purchase through our online shop or find Six Dogs Karoo in major retailers and speciality liquor stores.

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