Home Bar Awards 09/21 – Bend Your Knee

So, this month’s Home Bar Awards challenge revolves around Bee’s Knees variations. This also means it is right up my alley, because I am a big fan of the original Bee’s Knees cocktail. However, since I did not get my hands on Barr Hill Gin which partnered with Home Bar Awards, I used a barrel-aged Old Tom Gin instead. Apart from that, I also included thyme and an Islay Single Malt whisky.

Gin, whisky and bitters

For the September challenge 2021, the Home Bar Awards team partnered with Licence to Distill and Bar Hill Gin. Everybody who wants to participate needs to come up with a Bee’s Knees variation which includes gin, preferably Barr Hill Gin and honey. Since, it is impossible to get this specific gin here in Germany, I used the one which comes closest in my opinion. The Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom Gin is slightly sweetened and barrel aged. I cannot really tell you why, but I felt that to include thyme in the recipe would be a good idea. Furthermore, I added a bit of complexity by throwing in a splash of Ardbeg Wee Beastie Single Malt. The Ardbeg has become a staple in my home bar for adding great smoky whisky notes without altering the flavour profile of a drink too much. Obviously, you could use thyme honey, as a sweetener but regular honey will do just fine.

Herbs and smoke

Apart from the smoky whisky notes, the “Bend Your Knees” starts off like your regular Bee’s Knees cocktail. However, the thyme quickly makes its way to your palate. The flavours of the barrel aged gin and the Islay single malt work together very well. Futhermore, the honey bitters add the finishing touches to the cocktail. All in all, the drink is a more herbal and spicy cocktail compared to the original, but also well-balanced.