The brand, packaged in a sustainable tin inspired by oil cans was founded by former fashion and spirits consultant, Paolo Dalla Mora.
The Piedmont-based London dry gin pays tribute to its Italian heritage, using juniper from Tuscany, liquorice roots from Calabria, damask rose and sage from Piedmont, lemons from Sicily, and mineral water from the Alps in its production.
“Once the formula was defined with the help of expert hands and good palettes, I started imagining what the aesthetics of the project could be and, considering that it all took shape in my garage, I thought it would be suitable for Engine to have an identity that went in another direction with respect to the transparency that spirits look for today, something dirtier, unexpected, capable of completely distorting the concept of a bottle,” said Dalla Mora.
“Engine is, in fact, the first gin in a tin container, and with its strong, decisive spirit, it radically contrasts with a gin aesthetic which instead is becoming increasingly limpid, pure and clean”.
The launch arrives after Illva Saronno mutually ended its 20-year partnership with William Grant & Sons UK in December 2020.
“Engine is a brand that completes our portfolio, famous for the Disaronno brands, Tia Maria, The Busker whiskey, the latest born in our Irish distilleries, but we did not yet have a gin in the stable,” said Aldino Marzorati, chief executive of ILLVA Saronno Holding.
Engine is available in the UK, following a US launch in October, at Amathus, The Whisky Exchange, and Hard To Find Whisky at an rrp of £25.00.
