First Impressions
Pennington's harvests wild juniper from the Lakeland Fells under a full moon — not superstition but practice from the Old Farmer's Almanac, which holds that berries are most flavourful at this time. Seven botanicals including grapefruit, Spanish orange, and lemon peel are blended with water filtered through Lake District limestone beds from a National Park spring.
Tasting
Full-moon juniper with triple citrus peel and limestone-filtered water. The nose is fragrant piney juniper with sweet orange. On the palate at 42.1%, ultra-smooth with aromatic citrus, vibrant juniper, and liquorice astringency. The finish is earthy and spiced.
The Bottom Line
Pennington's earns a 7 — the full-moon harvest and limestone-filtered water create genuine Lakeland terroir. The Old Farmer's Almanac approach may sound eccentric, but the flavour supports it. Best in a G&T. At £38, Lake District moonlight in a bottle.
