Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin is an 85-proof (42.5% ABV) 750mL small-batch gin distilled in copper pots by Victoria Distillers in Sidney, British Columbia. Eight botanicals — juniper berries, lemon peel, orange peel, garden cucumber, jasmine, cardamom, star anise, and one kept undisclosed — go through the still, and fresh cucumber is infused post-distillation for a bright, garden-fresh character. Created in 2016 in collaboration with the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria (the "1908" marks the hotel's founding year), this is the afternoon-tea-inspired expression of the line. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 85 proof (42.5% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: small-batch copper-pot gin; cucumber infused post-distillation
- Origin: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada — Victoria Distillers
- Botanicals: eight — juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, garden cucumber, jasmine, cardamom, star anise + one undisclosed
Afternoon Tea, Distilled in Victoria
Empress 1908 was born from a partnership between Victoria Distillers and the landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel — the hotel of the famous afternoon tea — and the Cucumber Lemon expression leans into that origin. Instead of the butterfly pea flower that gives the original its purple hue, this one lets lemon citrus and fresh cucumber take the lead over a classic juniper backbone, with jasmine florals and a whisper of cardamom and star anise for complexity. Browse the Empress 1908 collection and the full gin shelf at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Bright lemon citrus and fresh garden cucumber up front, classic juniper structure behind it. Fragrant jasmine florals and delicate cardamom and star-anise spice round out a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel with a clean citrus-and-cucumber finish.
How to Enjoy
Built for the G&T — pair with a light tonic, plenty of ice, a cucumber ribbon and a lemon twist. It also makes an excellent French 75 where the citrus and floral notes can lift the champagne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the purple Empress gin?
No — the purple color belongs to the original Empress 1908 Indigo Gin (butterfly pea flower). The Cucumber Lemon expression is a separate, naturally colored release.
What does post-distillation infusion mean?
The cucumber is steeped into the gin after distillation rather than distilled with the other botanicals, which keeps its fresh, green character bright and distinct.
What is the 1908 in the name?
1908 is the founding year of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC, the brand's collaborator and namesake inspiration.
Tea time is gin time — buy Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.