Looking for something completely different on an evening out for two or with friends?  The Crown Club Gin Tasting Experience is certainly much more than 'just the tonic' - it’s seriously good and not to be missed. 

I have to admit there was a slight feeling of apprehension when Kate suggested we go along to the Crown Club for a gin tasting.

Whilst there’s nothing quite like a cold G&T on a summer's day, gin is not a spirit normally associated with a 'tasting' and the thought of neat gin was almost off-putting. However, my apprehension was very short-lived; from the moment we arrived it was clear this was going to be something quite different and my concerns were borne from preconceptions rather than facts.

The beautiful Crown Club is tucked away in Guernsey's only five star hotel, the Old Government House, and as soon as we arrived we were seated in the stylish and inviting bar, introduced to resident expert David Legoupil and the five star treatment commenced.

David gave us a brief overview of the various gins and the spirit's history whilst we perused their 'menu' of gins and contemplated which we would like to sample. 

We had no idea that there were such a vast array of gins from so many countries and all blended very differently; however with David’s expert advice we settled on six from the tasting menu and the theatre began. I say theatre because we were not only educated but also thoroughly entertained as David shared his passion and knowledge. Each gin was informally but professionally presented in its pure form with variations of fresh additions such as coriander, thyme, red apple and pink grapefruit peel and also accompanied by Fever Fresh tonic water.  

To complement the tasting and to completely clear the palette between gins you are also offered a unique Durban lamb or vegetable bunny chow curry, traditionally served inside a hollowed out, homemade brioche loaf and accompanied by a fresh coriandar onion and tomato sambal. These are eaten gradually throughout the tasting and conversation. The bunny chow was a complete surprise and a fantastic addition to a great experience. 

We left the bar both thoroughly impressed with what we had just experienced and with some new firm favourites in our gin repertoire (sorry Gordon's, but you're off the table from now on!).

Suitable for couples or small groups, a tasting session is a fantastic precursor to an evening out, for the cost of a few pints we felt we had been spoiled, educated and fed! 

I know we will be heading back; next time with friends as we are keen to share our discovery… and of course to try those gins we didn’t get to sample. 

Download the Gin Tasting Experience menu here

Next Week we will be launching our July Competition where you can WIN a Gin Tasting Experience for two. Check back with thebestof Guernsey blog to enter.