Pimm's No.1 Cup needs no introduction, but its vodka-based sibling — No.6 — has long since been discontinued and is now the preserve of collectors and the deeply curious. This bottle, estimated to date from the 1970s, is a genuine relic of a time when the Pimm's range extended far beyond the familiar gin-based original.
The nose is immediately evocative — herbal and bittersweet, with dried fruit and old spice cabinet notes that speak to decades of quiet evolution in the bottle. There is a gentle oxidative character that adds complexity rather than detracting from it. The palate is layered and intriguing, with bitter herbs and dried citrus peel supported by a gentle vodka warmth.
At 31.4% ABV, this was always a lighter proposition than a neat spirit, and the years have softened it further. The bitterness is rounded and approachable, the herbal notes complex rather than medicinal. The finish is long and dry, with lingering spice.
At nearly two hundred pounds, this is a purchase for the collector rather than the casual drinker. But as a window into drinks history — and as a genuinely enjoyable, if unusual, sipping experience — it has considerable charm. Handle with appropriate reverence.
