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Empress 1908 Original Gin spirit image
93Excellent

Empress 1908 Original Gin

Modern Empress 1908
  • Distiller

    Victoria Distillers

  • Bottler

    Victoria Distillers

  • ABV

    42.5%

  • Age

    NAS

  • Price $30 to $59.99

Empress 1908 Original Gin is the brand’s foundational expression, released to U.S. markets in May 2026. Developed by Victoria Distillers, it is a contemporary gin distilled in small-batch copper pot stills with pure Canadian water. The ten-botanical recipe balances juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, star anise and sarsaparilla. As the original release in the Empress 1908 portfolio, it established the base for the brand’s broader range, including Empress 1908 Indigo Gin. It hosts a suggested retail price of $39.99 for a 750-ml bottle.

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Aggregated Reviews
  • Raided Score: 91
  • The Daily Pour
  • By Candie Getgen
  • Empress 1906 Original is crisp, punchy and juniper-forward, making it a strong option for fans of London Dry and classic gin styles. It works especially well in a Gin & Tonic, served with a thick wedge of lime.
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  • Raided Score: 95
  • Drinkhacker
  • By Christopher Null
  • The palate follows nicely and is equally assertive. Big citrus notes of lemon and orange pith hit first, with light pine following.
  • Read Full Review

Raided Score is a conversion from an external site's score, to our in house uniform scoring system. Please see the FAQ for more.

House Review
  • Nose:

    Pine sap, lemon peel, zippy juniper and mint on the clean, but powerful nose.

  • Taste:

    The palate offers orange oil, bracing juniper, pink peppercorn, dill, green apple and bitter, earthy sarsaparilla.

  • Finish:

    Hints of anise, cassia, licorice root, sweet orange and fresh pine needles emerge on the long, slightly drying finish.

  • Overall:

    Empress 1906 Original is crisp, punchy and juniper-forward, making it a strong option for fans of London Dry and classic gin styles. It works especially well in a Gin & Tonic, served with a thick wedge of lime.

  • Score:

    91

  • By Candie Getgen
  • Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources