Are these sloes?

[Mash]

Here, here!

[DorsetScott]

I won't dilute the vintage stuff.
I have a 10 year old bottle which is brought out very rarely.

Made 8 litres of the stuff (and 4 of sloe vodka) last year as I have access to a lot more gin since I started this hobby.
Some of this will be put down for a few years, the hope being I can produce a bigger batch each year to store some for aging.

I'm also experimenting with leaving the sloes in different batches different lengths of time. Trying to see if some of the almond flavours come through with a longer infusion time

[Mash]

After Myles recommended it, I did sloe brandy.
Very nice.

Someone mentioned adding cloves, nutmeg and vanilla...that is certainly something to try.

[Easydrinker]

I only spice Apple Pie.
To add shit to quality just seems wrong.
Rum, mead, whatever,
Leave them be is my motto.
Sloe gin doesn't need it, IMHO.

Robert.

[Mash]

Not disagreeing with you.

[Jennysgin]

I won't dilute the vintage stuff.
I have a 10 year old bottle which is brought out very rarely.

I was really excited when I found half a bottle of 18month old at the back of the cupboard!

Haven't managed to get vintage yet

[phantom]

Hum? well the oldest sloe gin I have is about 6 or 7 years old.

Last time I opened a bottle, it was displaying a slight browning to the colour and had a slightly "old" flavour note to it.

So either the "T" cork lids aren't up to it, or the temperature swings in my shed have started to cause it to oxidise sooner than expected.

Oh, and when I was working yesterday, I spotted some sloes which were about 4 to 5mm diameter and still very green in colour (hard to spot unless stuck in stationery traffic )......

[Easydrinker]

I have worked behind a few bars where Sloe gin is drunk so rarely that it turns brown.

Robert.

[Jennysgin]

What a waste
Although to be fair, it's not the first thing I would think to order in a bar

And it's still drinkable I guess...

[Elecrafter]

Right... Was out for a walk, and went past my favourite Sloe picking area. Here are some pictures of Sloe Leaves, and at the moment, the sloes have just started to form. They are small and still green.

Hope this helps.

Ele.

20210705_104625sm.jpg

[Easydrinker]

They are well coloured for the time of year.

Robert.

[Mash]

Hmm. Might have to check my favourite plots

[Jules]

I've still not found any. I think what I will have to do is venture out to the New Forest and see what's around there. Thanks for the tips guys and for the photo Ele. I've not given up yet

[Mash]

Found mine... Coming along nicely

[DorsetScott]

I've still not found any. I think what I will have to do is venture out to the New Forest and see what's around there. Thanks for the tips guys and for the photo Ele. I've not given up yet

It depends which side you go, but in my experience the south side of the NF is rubbish for Sloes.

[Jules]

I'm usually around the North East of it so will have a look next time

[Mash]

I am in the Midlands so what am I going to do

[Easydrinker]

They even grow in Scotland, you just have to find them!
I have two locations marked.

Robert.