Tarquin's has built a reputation for doing flavoured gin with real conviction, and their Rhubarb and Raspberry expression is a bottle that leans into that fruit-forward identity without apology. At 38% ABV, it sits at the lower end of the spectrum — a deliberate choice that keeps things approachable and positions this squarely as a crowd-pleasing pour rather than a juniper purist's dram.
Style and Character
As a flavoured gin, the challenge is always balance. Too much fruit and you lose the gin entirely. Too little and the label feels like a gimmick. Tarquin's generally understands this tension well. Rhubarb brings a tart, almost vegetal sharpness that pairs naturally with the sweetness of raspberry — it's a combination that works on paper and, in practice, delivers a gin that feels vibrant and seasonal. Think of it like the best rhubarb crumble you've ever had: sharp, sweet, and satisfying in equal measure.
The lower ABV does mean the botanical backbone takes a quieter role here. This isn't a gin that will punch through a heavy tonic or a complex cocktail build. It knows what it is — a lighter, fruit-led spirit designed for easy drinking — and it commits to that lane confidently.
Verdict
At £37.25, you're paying a small premium for the Tarquin's name, but the quality of their fruit gins has earned that positioning. I'd have liked a touch more ABV to give the underlying botanicals room to breathe, but as a flavoured gin it delivers exactly what it promises. A solid 7.7 out of 10.
Best served with a light elderflower tonic, a generous twist of pink grapefruit peel, and a single shiso leaf if you can get your hands on one — it lifts the rhubarb beautifully and adds a herbaceous edge that transforms the drink.
