Empress 1908 Gin 3-Pack Bundle

Product Description

Empress 1908 Gin 3-Pack Bundle: Indigo, Elderflower Rose and Cucumber Lemon

The Empress 1908 Gin 3-Pack Bundle puts the three best-known Empress gins on your bar at once: the color-changing Indigo Gin, the ruby-hued Elderflower Rose Gin and the bright, crisp Cucumber Lemon Gin. Each one is a full 375ml bottle, and each has its own botanical recipe, so the set covers everything from a classic gin and tonic to floral spritzes and citrus-forward Martinis.

All three are made by Victoria Distillers in British Columbia, Canada. Buying them together is the easiest way to taste the range side by side, stock a home bar for a party, or give a gin drinker something more interesting than a single bottle.

What Comes in the Bundle

• Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, 375ml: the original, with a natural deep indigo color that shifts when you add tonic or citrus
• Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, 375ml: a floral gin with a natural ruby color from red rose petals and black carrot
• Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin, 375ml: a fresh, citrus-led gin built around lemon peel and garden cucumber

How It's Made

Every Empress 1908 gin is handcrafted in small batches in copper pot stills by Victoria Distillers at its waterfront distillery in Sidney, British Columbia. The gins start from a corn-based spirit, and each expression gets its own blend of botanicals: eight in the Indigo, nine in the Elderflower Rose and eight in the Cucumber Lemon.

The colors are completely natural. Indigo Gin gets its hue from butterfly pea blossoms infused after distillation. Elderflower Rose gets its jewel tone from red rose petals and black carrot, also added after distillation. No artificial colors are used in any of the three.

The Story Behind the Name

Empress 1908 is named for the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, which has welcomed guests since 1908 and is famous for its afternoon tea. In 2016 the distillery's Master Distiller began testing the hotel's teas against gin botanicals, and landed on two that defined the recipe: the hotel's signature black tea blend and butterfly pea blossom. Empress 1908 Indigo Gin launched in 2017.

The other two bottles in this bundle follow the same idea. Elderflower Rose is a tribute to Victoria, known as the City of Gardens, and Cucumber Lemon takes its cue from the flavors served alongside afternoon tea.

Tasting Notes

Tasting notes below come from Empress 1908's own descriptions of each gin.

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin

• Juniper: a subtle variety in the Pacific Northwest style, present without dominating
• Citrus: grapefruit peel, slightly bitter and gently sweet, bright and aromatic
• Tea: the Empress signature black tea blend, floral, fruity and oaky
• Floral: rose petal, adding softness and warmth
• Texture and finish: warm herbal earthiness and a soft texture from butterfly pea blossom

Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin

• Overall: an understated floral palate balanced by citrus, spice and a hint of sweetness
• Floral: elderflower, red rose petal with light honey notes, and lavender
• Citrus: a bright burst of orange peel
• Depth: black carrot adds gentle sweetness and an earthy note

Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin

• Citrus: bold, zesty lemon peel with juicy orange peel behind it
• Fresh: crisp garden cucumber
• Floral: soft, fragrant jasmine
• Spice: warm, aromatic cardamom over a classic juniper base
• Finish: clean and crisp

Food Pairings

Empress 1908 was inspired by afternoon tea, and the three gins pair naturally with light, fresh food.

• Indigo Gin: smoked salmon, oysters, citrus-dressed seafood, fresh goat cheese, scones and finger sandwiches
• Elderflower Rose Gin: brie and other soft cheeses, prosciutto with melon, fresh berries, shortbread and light fruit desserts
• Cucumber Lemon Gin: sushi, ceviche, grilled shrimp, Greek salad, herb-roasted chicken and cucumber sandwiches

For a tasting night, set out a board with soft cheese, smoked fish, fresh fruit and plain crackers and pour all three gins alongside it.

Serving Suggestions

• Empress and Tonic: pour Indigo Gin over ice, top with tonic and add a grapefruit slice. The gin turns from indigo to soft pink or lavender as the tonic goes in.
• Empress 75: Indigo Gin with fresh lemon juice and a little simple syrup, topped with sparkling wine.
• Layered drinks: build your cocktail first and float the Indigo Gin on top last, so guests see the color change as they stir.
• Blossom and Tonic: Elderflower Rose Gin over ice with tonic, for a floral take on the classic.
• Negroni Rosa: use Elderflower Rose Gin as the base for a lighter, more floral Negroni.
• Lemon Spritz: Cucumber Lemon Gin with sparkling wine and soda over ice, finished with a lemon wheel.
• Cucumber Lemon Martini: stir Cucumber Lemon Gin with dry vermouth and garnish with a cucumber ribbon or lemon twist.
• Side-by-side tasting: pour a small measure of each gin neat, then again with tonic, to see how differently the three behave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Empress 1908 Gin 3-Pack Bundle?

Three full-size 375ml bottles: Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin and Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin.

Why does Empress 1908 Indigo Gin change color?

The indigo color comes from butterfly pea blossom, a natural botanical that reacts to what you mix it with. Add tonic or citrus and the gin shifts from deep indigo to lavender, soft pink or fuchsia, depending on the mixer.

Are the colors in Empress 1908 Gin natural?

Yes. Indigo Gin is colored by butterfly pea blossom, and Elderflower Rose Gin by red rose petals and black carrot. The distillery uses no artificial colors.

Will the color fade, and how should I store the bottles?

Because the color is natural, it will slowly fade over time, and sunlight speeds that up. The flavor is not affected. Empress recommends storing bottles in a cool, dark place and enjoying them within about a year of purchase.

Is Empress 1908 Gin gluten-free?

Yes. According to the distillery, Empress 1908 Gin is distilled from a corn-based spirit and is gluten-free. It is also certified kosher and contains no added sugar.

Where is Empress 1908 Gin made?

Empress 1908 Gin is made in British Columbia, Canada, by Victoria Distillers.

Is this bundle a good gift for a gin drinker?

It is one of the easier gin gifts to get right. The three bottles look striking together, each one tastes clearly different, and the color-changing Indigo Gin gives the recipient something fun to show off the first time they pour it.

Explore More

Already have a favorite of the three? Each bottle is also sold on its own in our Empress 1908 collection. And if you are filling out the rest of the gin shelf, take a look through our full gin collection.

The Quality Liquor Store Guarantee

Quality Liquor Store has been serving customers since 1949, and every bottle we sell is sourced directly from authorized distributors. That means the three gins in this bundle are authentic, properly handled and exactly what the label says they are. We pack every order carefully so your bottles arrive safely, and our team is here to help if anything about your order is not right. Whether you are mixing your first color-changing gin and tonic or sending the full Empress 1908 trio as a gift, you can order with confidence.