Heston’s £25 Waitrose gin beaten by £10 Aldi version
WHERE food is concerned, Heston Blumenthal is at the cutting edge.
But when it comes to gin, the TV chef may have to sharpen up his act.
His posh take on the trendy spirit has been comfortably beaten in an international taste test – by cheaper offerings from Aldi and Lidl.
Heston’s Citrus Sherbet Lazy Gin, made exclusively for Waitrose and costing £24.99, came below the budget chains’ own-brands in the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
‘Natural citrus botanicals add a lemon sherbet zest to this classic, apple-based London dry gin,’ Waitrose gushes on its website. ‘Simply add Mediterranean tonic, ice and serve with a stick of liquorice, no need for the slice.’
But the slick marketing couldn’t sway the judges, who carried out blind taste tests, meaning they did not know the brand or producer when awarding their marks.
While Heston’s Citrus Sherbet Lazy Gin received a bronze medal, gins from Aldi and Lidl both clinched silver. Aldi’s award-winning Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin costs just £9.99 for 70cl, while Lidl’s Hortus Citrus Garden is £15.
The contest is regarded as the Michelin guide for booze. This year’s competition received more than 600 gin entries from nearly 90 countries.
Medals awarded are overall winner, outstanding gold, gold, outstanding silver, silver and bronze. In the gin category, the overall winner was Ki No Bi Kyoto dry gin from Japan, at £44.95 a bottle. Own-brand gins from Morrisons and Spar also bagged silver medals.
Food and drink expert Martin Isark, who runs the Can I Eat It? website, said: ‘Heston Blumenthal produces mindblowing flavours that tantalise his diners’ senses from plate to palate.
‘And his restaurants impress the experts from the Michelin guide who have awarded him six Michelin stars.
‘However where his gin is concerned he failed to impress the judges.’