For the fourth time, we have developed the official Festuge gin. This year, the Aarhus native Claus Pilgaard (better known as Chili Klaus) has taken Njord on a flavor journey and spiritual foraging mission in search of a gin with edge and charm.
Claus is known for his entertaining chili tastings and his expertise in chili. Even when he came to Aarhus as a young conservatory student, he had an eye for the audience as well as for the tranquility of Aarhus Bay, where he dived and then enjoyed a good cup of home-roasted coffee.
This gin contains several different chili varieties, but not a burning chili sensation, as the substance capsaicin is not extracted during distillation. Instead, there are fine notes of fruit, herbs, smoke, chocolate, and cucumber from Trinidad Scorpion, De Arbol, Chipotle, and Habanero. Along with a salty and sweet hint from sugar kelp and floral notes from coffee shells, this year's Festuge gin becomes a complex experience.
Enjoy Aarhus drops neat, with a dry tonic, or in a cocktail that starts the party.
Cocktail and G&T recipes with Distilled Aarhus Festuge x Chili Klaus