Cassia Bark: The Spicy Secret Behind Many Scottish Gins

Cassia bark is a key botanical in many Scottish gins, adding warm, spicy notes that complement the juniper-forward profile of traditional gin. In this post, we'll explore cassia bark and how it contributes to the unique flavours of Scottish gin.

What is Cassia Bark?

Cassia bark, also known as Chinese cinnamon, comes from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum family. While similar to true cinnamon, cassia has a more robust, intense flavour profile. Its warm, sweet-spicy taste makes it a popular ingredient in culinary and beverage applications.

Cassia Bark in Scottish Gin

Many Scottish gin distillers incorporate cassia bark as one of their essential botanicals:

• It adds warm, spicy notes that complement juniper

• The sweet cinnamon-like flavour provides depth and complexity

• Its strong taste stands up well to other bold botanicals

Some famous Scottish gins that feature cassia bark include:

• ORO Gin - Uses cassia bark along with juniper, coriander, and citrus peels

• Wolfcraig Gin - Incorporates cassia with juniper, citrus, and wild thyme

• Seven Crofts Gin - Blends cassia with juniper, angelica root, and cardamom

How Cassia Bark Enhances Scottish Gin

Cassia bark contributes several qualities that make it valuable for Scottish gin producers:

1. Warmth and Spice - Its cinnamon-like flavour adds a warming element that balances gin's crisp, piney notes.

2. Complexity - Cassia's nuanced flavour profile increases the gin's depth and intricacy.

3. Traditional Appeal - As a classic gin botanical, it connects modern Scottish gins to gin's long history.

4. Local Flair - While not native to Scotland, cassia complements local botanicals like heather and thistle.

The Rise of Scottish Gin

Scotland has become a powerhouse in gin production, with over 70% of UK gin made in Scotland. This gin renaissance has led to experimentation with botanicals like cassia bark. Critical factors in Scottish gin's popularity include:

• A long history of distilling expertise

• Pure Scottish water sources

• An abundance of local botanicals

• Innovative craft distillers

Tasting Cassia in Scottish Gin

To appreciate cassia bark's contribution to Scottish gin:

1. Smell the gin neat to detect warm, spicy aromas

2. Taste it straight to note the cassia's sweet-spicy flacriticalvor

3. Mix in a gin and tonic to see how cassia complements the tonic's bitterness

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Cassia bark plays a crucial role in creating many Scottish gins' complex, flavorful profiles. Its warm spiciness perfectly complements traditional gin botanicals, adding a unique twist that sets Scottish gins apart. Next time you enjoy a Scottish gin, see if you can detect the subtle influence of this aromatic spice. By incorporating relevant keywords, using proper header structure, and citing authoritative sources, this blog post optimises search engines while providing valuable information about cassia bark in Scottish gin. The content is structured to be easily scannable and includes lists and subheadings to improve readability.