Celery in a gin. It sounds like something dreamed up at a cocktail bar that's run out of ideas — but Rutte have form here. This is a house with roots in the Dutch distilling tradition, and Rutte Celery Gin is one of those bottles that makes you rethink what a Contemporary gin can be.
A Savoury Proposition
At 43% ABV, this sits at a solid strength that gives the botanicals room to express themselves without the heat overwhelming the palate. The celery concept is the headline act, and it's a bold one. Where most Contemporary gins lean into citrus or floral territory, Rutte has gone in an entirely savoury direction. Think of it less as a novelty and more as a bridge between the gin world and the umami-rich flavours you'd find in a Japanese izakaya or a hawker stall in Singapore.
Style Over Spectacle
What I appreciate about this gin is its commitment to the concept. Priced at £28.95, it's not asking you to take a huge gamble. It's an accessible entry point into the more experimental end of the Contemporary category, and it rewards curiosity. That said, at 7.4/10, it's a gin that works best in specific contexts rather than as an everyday pour. The savoury profile can polarise — it's not the bottle you reach for when someone just wants a classic G&T.
But when it clicks, it really clicks. This is a gin with genuine character and a point of view.
Best served in a Dirty Martini with a barspoon of olive brine and a pickled shallot garnish — or try it in a Bloody Mary riff, replacing the vodka entirely. The savoury backbone was made for tomato juice, a dash of soy sauce, and a sliver of fresh chilli.
