Empress 1908 Original Gin
Ten botanicals, and two of them are spice. Sarsaparilla and star anise sit in this clear gin.
The product page also names juniper, lemon peel, and orange peel. Juniper is kept light. Lemon pith brings a bitter edge. The run is blended with pure Canadian water in 750 mL and 1 L bottles.
Victoria Distillers in Sidney, British Columbia makes the recipe. It is not the blue Indigo bottle. Milestone Brands in Austin, Texas has owned the distillery since June 2022.
The page calls this one of Canada's early premium gins. It was the house's first recipe.
Product Highlights
- •Sarsaparilla root and star anise in the bill
- •Light evergreen note plus two citrus peels
- •Cut with water from Canada
- •Clear spirit, separate from the blue bottle
- •750 mL and a one-litre option
Category
Our Canadian score
Some Canadian ties
Empress 1908 Original Gin is made in Sidney, British Columbia, and blended with Canadian water. Milestone Brands of Austin, Texas owns the distillery.
Score breakdown (85% evidenced, high confidence)
“Our unique waterfront location in Sidney, British Columbia, houses the copper pot stills that produce our range of spirits”
“The world’s finest botanicals are lovingly distilled and blended with pure Canadian water”
“Milestone Brands LLC, the premium spirits company based in Austin, Texas, today announced that it has acquired Victoria Distillers Inc”
This score is our own read of publicly available evidence, not a regulatory finding. It is not a CFIA or Competition Bureau origin determination, and it is not the same as the "Product of Canada" or "Made in Canada" claims a manufacturer prints on a label. Check the package if you need the official claim. How we score
Key Facts
- Distilled
- Sidney, British Columbia
- Botanical count
- 10
- Spice notes
- Star anise and sarsaparilla
- Water
- Pure Canadian water
- Sizes
- 750 mL and 1 L
- Owner
- Milestone Brands, Austin, Texas
Where to Buy
Product Information
Ingredients
Ten botanicals, including juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, star anise, and sarsaparilla, blended with Canadian water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empress 1908 Original Gin made in Canada?
The stills are in Sidney, British Columbia. Empress 1908 Original Gin is produced there and cut with Canadian water. The owner, Milestone Brands, is based in Austin, Texas.
How is Empress 1908 Original Gin different from the blue gin?
Empress 1908 Original Gin stays clear. The blue bottle is a later recipe with a flower dye. This one uses ten botanicals, including a sweet spice and a soft root.
What botanicals does Empress 1908 Original Gin name?
Empress 1908 Original Gin lists an evergreen berry, lemon peel, orange peel, a warm spice, and sarsaparilla. The full count on the page is ten.
Who owns Empress 1908 Original Gin?
Milestone Brands LLC bought Victoria Distillers in June 2022. That buyer sits in Austin, Texas. Empress 1908 Original Gin is still made in the Sidney still house.
What bottle sizes does Empress 1908 Original Gin come in?
Empress 1908 Original Gin comes as a standard 750 mL bottle and a 1 L bottle. Both hold the clear recipe.
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