Cape Town’s distilling heritage meets contemporary craftsmanship in Emperor Gin, a collection of three distinct small-batch expressions handcrafted in collaboration with the pioneering Hope Distillery. Each is produced in limited quantities — batches of fewer than 500 litres — ensuring meticulous attention to detail in every bottle.
Three Expressions, One Philosophy
The Emperor Classic Gin offers a contemporary interpretation of the traditional London Dry style. Juniper takes centre stage, supported by delicate hints of citrus and spice. It finds its natural home in a classic gin and tonic with a twist of lemon, and shines in timeless cocktails such as the Martini, Negroni, and Tom Collins.
For those seeking brightness, the Emperor Silver Edition delivers a citrus-forward profile, abundant with lemon peel and vibrant lime notes. Best enjoyed with a slice of lime or a sprig of basil, it also elevates cocktails such as the Basil Smash, Gimlet, and Greyhound.
The Emperor Gold Edition presents a subtly spicy character with honeyed undertones, infused after distillation with organic, local honeybush. This adds a gentle tannic structure, bringing depth and complexity. Pair it with orange in a gin and tonic, or explore its versatility in a French 75, Bee’s Knees, or Gin Mule.
Craftsmanship in Every Drop
Distilled in Mouma and Mildred — the first pot stills licensed in Cape Town — each expression of Emperor Gin is crafted using a combination of maceration and vapour infusion. Botanicals, including juniper, local coriander seed, angelica root, lemon peel, lime leaves, cloves, cinnamon, and fennel, are carefully selected, with locally sourced ingredients prioritised wherever possible.
Hope Distillery, established in 2014 as Cape Town’s first licensed small-batch distillery, brings over a decade of expertise to every distillation run. The result is a range of gins that balances smoothness with complexity — each bottle a testament to thoughtful production and enduring quality.
