Hendrick’s Neptunia Gin Channels The Sights, Sounds & Smells Of The Sea

A limited edition gin inspired by the rugged shores of southwest Scotland.

Ever since Hendrick’s rebooted the global palate by infusing its flagship spirit with a crisp cucumber note, the Scottish distiller has grown to become one of the most sought after gins on the planet. From home G&T enthusiasts to skilled mixologists, Hendrick’s high quality spirits now fuel cocktails from Aberdeen, Scotland to Aberdeen, Washington and back.

Always looking to bend the definitions of what’s possible in the category, Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie annually releases limited expressions that offer daring new challenges to the tongue. A couple years ago it was Orbium incorporating flavors traditionally associated with gin cocktails such as quinine found in the iconic G&T, and wormwood from a martini’s dry vermouth. She also blended blue lotus blossom to balance the alchemy.

And while last year’s special edition gin, the aptly named Lunar, was inspired by botanicals that ‘flourish below the light of the moon,’ for 2022 Hendrick’s sinks even deeper into the elements. At the Undersea Imaginarium & Spa popup Hendrick’s created in New York City last week the talented Master Distiller unveiled the latest potion from her Cabinet of Curiosities: Neptunia. 

As can be inferred from the name, Neptunia aims to capture the esoteric magic of the sea in glass. An oceanic message in the bottle, if you will. 

“I find listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore really therapeutic,” explains Ms. Gracie, who found inspiration for her latest creation wandering the rugged Ayrshire coast near Hendrick’s Gin Palace.

“Looking out onto the horizon and feeling the wind in your hair and the salty sea breeze on your face is just a great feeling – it’s so freeing, invigorating and calming all at the same time. I walk down the beach in Girvan every weekend with my dog and take in the sound of the waves and that particular smell you find no matter what beach you are on.”

Those scents, saline aromas and brisk winds embedded themselves in Gracie’s mind as she returned to Hendrick’s Gin Palace to experiment. Located just a couple miles from southwest Scotland’s crashing waves, its unsurprising Neptunia captures a blend of coastal botanicals and a crisp citrus finish. 

To celebrate the limited release Hendrick’s brought the magic of sea to Tribeca last weekend, submersing guests into mysteries of the depth via their Neptunia Undersea Imaginarium & Spa.

The First Undersea Spa Experience, as Hendrick’s dubbed it, featured several unique aquatic-themed treatments such as a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea Hypnosis (with oceanic sounds and guided deep-sea meditation); Scottish Sea Breeze Aromatherapy; Mermaid Sensory Treatment (with sea sponge scrub, cucumber-cryo and sea-inspired hydration remedy); and even Octopus Tarot card readings. It was a fitting, recharging and invigorating way to welcome the new spirit into the world.

“Most of my creations are based on memories – I play around with botanicals and combine them to recreate certain sensations. Hendrick’s Neptunia for me is that freeing feeling of the sea bottled in a gin. You have that distinctive fresh character from coastal herbs, depth of flavor from the sea botanicals and an unmistakably clean, bright citrus finish that lifts in a round, refreshing way that makes it Hendrick’s.”

Look out for Neptunia’s seafoam green label, bottled at 43.4% ABV with a $39.99 SRP.

Follow Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.