Journeyman Bilberry Black Hearts Gin

Indigenous to Britain and northern Europe, the bilberry takes center stage next to a supporting cast of juniper and seven other botanicals in our gin. A cousin to the huckleberry and blueberry, the bilberry is smaller with a fuller taste and is extremely hard to grow. Thus, it is seldom cultivated. The fruit is mostly collected from wild plants growing on public lands. It is an everyman’s right to collect bilberries irrespective of land ownership. The bilberry is dark in color and usually appears black, thus the berry was commonly referred to as a black heart in 19th century southwestern England. I hope that this truly unique berry and its flavors of tart fig, pepper, and black licorice rest well on your palate.