Empress - 1908 Indigo Gin

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin is produced by Victoria Distillers in Sidney, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. The name references the year the Empress Hotel opened in Victoria, and the gin was developed in partnership with the hotel.

Its most immediate distinction is its colour: a deep indigo derived from butterfly pea blossom tea, which is blended into the spirit after distillation. The tea is sourced from the Fairmont Empress and gives the gin its signature hue.

When an acidic mixer such as tonic or citrus juice is added, the colour shifts to pink or purple, a reaction that has made the gin a genuine crowd-pleaser and a social media favourite.

Beyond the visual appeal, the botanical bill includes juniper, grapefruit peel, ginger root, rose, coriander, and black tea, the last of which contributes a subtle tannic structure that distinguishes it from many contemporary gins. The base spirit is made from Canadian grain.

The style sits in the contemporary category, with juniper present but not dominant. It performs well in a simple gin and tonic or a classic Negroni, where the colour change adds a theatrical element, and it can be sipped over ice without being harsh.

At this price point, it delivers a genuinely unique drinking experience backed by a reputable BC distillery with a clear connection to local hospitality culture.