StillSmart

Following the success others have reported with bitter orange, I thought I would have a go.

This has not been an easy ingredient to find. But I have some more at last. I hope the results are worth it.

If I convert existing recipes is it a direct replacement for ordinary orange & lemon Peel OR just the orange?

Ingredients ONE LITRE
• 13 g juniper berries.
• 8 g coriander seeds
• 1g Angelica
• 0.1g orris root
• 4 black peppercorns
• Whole skin of one tangerine.
• 1/2 lemon (potato peeled)

If so what weights / volumes have been successful please?? 3- 5g ??

It is quite strong Mash, I have been
experimenting with 2g per litre.

Thats a lot of juniper and fruit for 1 ltr
But it is all about personal taste.
For 2ltrs.
12g juniper
6g coriander
2 cardamom pods
pinch Angelica
Pinch Orris root
4g bitter orange
used sputnik, makes a good London dry

Oris root is, as I understand it, the dried root (rhizome) of an Iris.

If this is so, then can the root be used without any specific drying or other processing?

gaza the instructor wrote:Thats a lot of juniper and fruit for 1 ltr

I am trying to get a fruit forward gin.

Toper wrote:Oris root is, as I understand it, the dried root (rhizome) of an Iris.

If this is so, then can the root be used without any specific drying or other processing?

Good question - I for one can't see why not.

Orris root needs to be dried and aged for several years. It also needs to be from one of a few very specific varietes of iris.

Im with you Mash. Did a grapefruit gin
that was very popular with the girls
at my party.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orris_root

Orris root (rhizoma iridis) is a term used for the roots Iris germanica and Iris pallida.


However, the Index in R.H.S. Encyclopedia of Herbs gives Iris Germanica variety florentina as the main source for Oris.It also states that all parts of Iris species, especially rhizomes, are harmful if eaten.

It may possibly be that the drying process removes some of these harmful elements?

It sets the flavours in the gin, as
does Angelica.

Not wishing to be a bore, but wishing my stillin' buddies to remain alive, maybe this is an example of "maybe not".
A danger of World Wide Wonderful knowledge, is that anyone can post it.

I am sure that a majority of people posting anywhere on the web are well meaning.
There will be the odd terrorist arsehole.

Maybe feed your Iris roots to your local Grey Squirrels before using your own instead of store bought?

That is maybe not indicative though, our Peafowl seem to love Beech sawdust and Rhubarb leaves.
Who would have thought that healthy?

Thread wandering off topic, see, I do it all the time

Robert.

Fresh orris root is mildly toxic. When peeled and dried over a period of a few years, it loses that toxicity and gains its characteristic floral scent.

Digging any old iris root out of your garden and sticking it in your gin is not likely to kill you, but it's certainly not going to add anything of value to your drink.

I can now see 'why not'.
Begs the question, is it just toxic to eat and also after Stillin?

Either way probably best to stick to store bought.

Seems I need some gin.. so here goes my first go.

I want a citrus high front note - c'mon bitter orange do your stuff.

Also no peppercorns this time - I think they might dull it.

• 13 g juniper berries.
• 8 g coriander seeds
• 5g Bitter Orange
• 1g Angelica (large pitch)
• 0.1g orris root (small pinch)
• 1 L 40% KALE neutral (to get 75cl to 50%)
• 1 L water

That will make a very tasty gin Mash.
I put 2 Cardamom pods in crush well,
2ltrs neutral.
Its my stock gin I love it

I would put Cardamom in but I don't think I have any. What do you think it adds?