Birthday
6 o’clock gin started about thirty years ago as a small enterprise. Sloe gin is just one of their products.
February kicks off the birthday year in my family. There are just two in the second month. Melia, our third great-grand-daughter, will be three at the end of the month. It’s wonderful to see her developing skills and independence.
Barry, who set the whole train in motion, has his birthday at the beginning of the month, and is rather more than three years old. Our children have stopped asking what he’d like for his birthday, as I certainly don’t know. In any case, he has more than enough of everything he could possibly need, apart from youth, and that’s not available. As is so often the case, he decided on something he’d rather like – a miniature DAC (don’t ask!) which has arrived and been declared ‘superb.’ The larger, older DACs are still in service and still pleasing the discerning ear.
I couldn’t let the occasion pass without a gift from me, one which we will both appreciate, I’m sure. After the passing of 2025 during which neither of us drank anything alcoholic, we opened the bottle of ‘6 o’clock sloe gin’ which had been languishing in our dining room for two or three years. It was a smooth and warming liqueur, and one glass slowly sipped was quite sufficient.
In addition to the above Rhubarb and Raspberry gin, Berkshire Botanicals offer Honey and Orange Blossom, Dandelion and Burdock, Sloe, Morello Cherry, Orange and Grapefruit, and Navy Strength gins. They are all created in Berkshire at the Yattendon Estate Distillery.
That gave me an idea, so I looked to see what was available online. I’m no connoisseur, so easily satisfied, and quickly selected three which looked interesting and different. Judging by our usual consumption, they should last us about six years.
Happy birthday to him! And all the other people you've squeezed into the shortest month. Is a miniature dac a long low tiny dog?
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh - thank you.
DeleteIs a DAC a Deodorised Arse Cork? Useful in suppressing unwelcome flatulence.
ReplyDeleteUsed for other purposes, too, I think . . .
DeleteThat elderflower liquor is so pretty, I would buy it just to look at
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a bottle of perfume - very pretty.
DeleteAfter you have finished the St Germain French Elderflower Liqueur, I would wash and keep the bottle as a very attractive vase.
ReplyDeleteI think I will . . .
DeleteHappy birthday to Barry! I very much would like the box of truffles. All to myself.
ReplyDeleteThey are all too easy to consume - very, very tasty.
DeleteI don't drink any alcohol at all, but those bottles are beautiful. I have to ask even though you said not to, what is a DAC?
ReplyDeleteThis, from 'What Hi-fi?' says . . .
Delete'A DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) is an audio component that converts digital music data into analogue signals that speakers and headphones can play, because human ears and audio equipment require analogue sound waves, not binary “0s and 1s”.
Most digital devices (phones, computers, TVs) already have a built-in DAC, but those internal DACs often don’t process audio as accurately as a dedicated external DAC, so upgrading to a separate DAC improves sound quality by performing a higher-fidelity conversion.
In short, DACs play a large part in making digital music worthwhile!'
Ain't technology wunnerful?
I had no idea what a DAC was until two days ago, but I'm on the hunt for one. A local community radio station started broadcasting yesterday, but for now it's only broadcasting online. I want to be able to listen through my stereo speakers.
DeleteRelatable. I have some very old scotch. I'll get around to it someday. :)
ReplyDeleteYou will enjoy it, I'm sure. Does it improve with keeping?
DeleteHappy birthday to everyone!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pradeep.
DeleteHappy Birthday to everybody! Our birthday month here is July and December. Those truffles are making my mouth water.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay. Our heaviest months are March and May.
DeleteHappy birthday and happy celebrations. Those gins sound wonderful
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm looking forward to 'helping' with the gins. 😇
DeleteI have no idea what a DAC is, but happy birthday to everyone in your family anyway!
ReplyDeleteThe packaging for the choccies looks beautiful. Good to know the contents didn't disappoint.
Thank you, Meike. I was sorely tempted to 'test' the chocolates, but resisted . . .
DeleteAn excellent choice of a gifts especially as you can enjoy them as well.
ReplyDeleteQuite so. Do you think it's a little too obvious? 😂😀
DeleteHi Janice - looks like fun to be had ... enjoy your gin - something I can't drink ... probably a good thing. I had a box of Bojangle truffles for my January birthday - delicious!! Cheers Hilary ...
ReplyDeleteA little gin goes a long way, but there can never be too many truffles. 😊
DeleteI'm not a gin person, but used Nigel Slaters recipe to make some sweet liqueur the year before last. Apricot brandy... there's a thought, and sozzled apricots on my yogurt...
ReplyDeleteHappy birthdays to your family
I always intend to make fruit liqueur and always forget! Apricot brandy sounds good, though I don't really like brandy.
DeleteHappy Birthday to Barry, I can't stand gin, never could, I rarely drink these days, just an glass of red wine with a meal.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marlene. A drink with a meal can be very pleasant.
DeleteA gentle return to celebration, marked by birthdays and rediscovered pleasures, the sloe gin serving as a quiet toast to time passed, family milestones, and craftsmanship patiently waiting to be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI think Distillers must have enormous patience, rather like producers of fine cheeses.
DeleteHappy Birthday to Barry and Melia. I used to have the occasional gin and tonic in my youth. Now I have a glass of wine whenever I need a red for our beef stew broth and along with husband, an occasional tot of Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry. I also enjoy looking at all the shapes and sizes of the bottles, and the designs on labels, and don’t get me started on chocolate. Doesn’t take much to entertain me says I with a smile. Happy February to you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. There's a lot of pleasure to be gained from looking at designs of bottles.
DeleteHappy Birthday to Barry. It's hard to buy for an older person. We have everything we need and we buy what we want.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann. I do wish they wouldn't buy gifts, but they seem to feel the need to do so.
DeleteI have never seen anything like these. They all look interesting and rather tasty maybe.
ReplyDeleteI hope they taste as good as they look!
DeleteLooks like it will have been a rather enjoyable birthday celebration!
ReplyDeleteRather dangerous if we drink the lot in one go!
DeleteHappy Birthday to them 😀
ReplyDeleteThe gins look great. I make my own sloe gin when I can get sloes.
Alison in Devon x
That's something I always intend to do and always remember when it's too late!
DeleteWell, I looked up DAC rather than asking. It seemed like the thing to do. 🤓
ReplyDelete😂
DeleteDon't drink alcohol so it seems I'm missing some interesting looking bottles... ;)
ReplyDeletePerfume bottles are pretty, too, though not so large. It's not something I'm familiar with, but I gather they can be found in charity shops and/or antique shops.
DeleteThere was a time in my life I collected bottles, very old bottles and ones that were beautiful to me. 2 of these bottles would have been collected. my two sons have birthdays this month, David will be 61 on Valentine's day, also their anniversary, Daniel will be 59 Feb 22. the rest of us are all in Sept/Oct
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your sons. Valentine's Day was very memorable to you 61 years ago!
DeleteI am not a gin man, or even a sloe gin man. I do know of St Germaine and have had a cocktail made with that.
ReplyDeleteWould you recommend it?
DeleteWe have a bottle of vodka, shaped exactly like the 'Crystal Skull', its eyes shine rather menacingly. Happy birthdays for thosewho birthday in the month of February. Thelmax
ReplyDeleteThat sounds quite startling - fun, though.
DeleteHappy Birthday Barry. February birthdays are the best, mine is this month as is our 52nd Wedding Anniversary. I like a glass of Sloe Gin, its internal central heating at its best. Xx
ReplyDelete'Internal central heating' is a wonderful description.
DeleteBelated Birthday Wishes to Barry. I too did not know what a DAC was but now I do. Thank You!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. 😊
DeleteHappy Birthday to Barry and to Melia. I have a niece whose birthday is Feb. 14th. Not such a great time to have a birthday...when everyone around you is celebrating the day of love with gifts as well. Non drinkers here so I really don't know much about the bottles or the brands. Have a super great day.
ReplyDeleteA Valentine's Day birthday could well be overwhelmed.
DeleteHappy Birthday wishes to Barry and Melia.
ReplyDeleteI too now know what a DAC is, thanks of course to a Google search!
Happy February wishes.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
DeleteThat Berkshire Botanicals gin sounds interesting. I have dandelion and burdock in my garden, but I would never have thought to add them to my G&T!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd buy Berkshire Botanicals for the label alone.
DeleteGin is my second favourite spirit, and it is especially nice in the summer. You chose some very interesting gins.
ReplyDeleteGin is deceptively 'fresh' and invites more consumption. 😳😀
DeleteWell Happy Birthday to both. This is a big birthday month for us as well. My husband and I both celebrate our in a few days and we have many friends and relatives who also have their birthdays this month.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you and your husband, too.
DeleteHappy Birthday month to your family! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine.
DeleteHappy Birthday to Barry and Melia. What a lovely age - 3. They are certainly little characters at that age.
ReplyDeleteThose early years, before little children go out very much into the wider world, are very special.
ReplyDeleteI hope both Barry and Melia enjoy their special days in February. I'm not much of a drinker but I have enjoyed an occasional gin mixed with something else. You have some lovely bottles of gin to enjoy, pretty shapes and I like the picture designs on them as well.
ReplyDeleteI also checked with Mr Google about DAC. So now I know!
Thank you.
ReplyDeletehappy Birthday to Barry and enjoy your gin tasting. some of those flavours sound very exotic.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We've tried the sloe and elderflower - very rich and smooth.
DeleteIt's my birthday in February and I don't even have a bottle of sloe gin to celebrate. It sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt is delicious, so treat yourself and have a very happy birthday.
Delete