During the pandemic and the various lockdowns, chef Alessandro Di Sarno, born in Capri but living in Belgium, came up with the idea to create an exceptional product. A Belgian made London Dry Gin that would reflect his culinary expertise, his pursuit of authenticity, and his passion for his birth region. Thus, Blue Scorpio was born. A Belgian London Dry Gin With The Scents Of Italy; a Story of Scorpions, Lemons and Wild Sage.
With the development of their own gin, Alessandro and his wife Alexandra Saraniero didn’t want to follow a trend but rather pay tribute to two central figures in their family who sadly passed away too soon (one during the pandemic): their fathers. Both were born under the Scorpio zodiac sign and proudly sported mustaches. The name ‘Blue Scorpio’ and logo of the gin was quickly decided!
Alessandro and his wife Alexandra were determined to make it a high-quality artisanal product. To achieve this, they decided to enlist the help of a master distiller to perfect the recipe and distill their product according to the highest standards. The perfect person for the job was Manu De Cort, who runs a family distillery in the Belgian place called Pepingen (Halle).
Manu De Cort has always had a passion for the world of spirits. Ten years ago, together with his wife Sofie, he decided to establish his own artisanal distillery in the Pajottenland region. This distillery is unique in Belgium, operating on the principle of a short supply chain and applying the utmost care at every stage of the production process, from the selection of ingredients to bottling.
The recipe for this London Dry Gin, distilled in small batches using a traditional method, delves deep into the Italian roots of these two men: father and father-in-law
The Art of Distillation by De Cort Distillery
To achieve a smooth alcohol and retain only the purest flavors, Manu De Cort distills in two copper Holstein distillation kettles with capacities of 5000 and 650 liters, which are steam-heated.
After distillation, the master distiller dilutes the spirit—which comes out of the distillation kettle with an alcohol content of 80 to 85%—with high-quality water to achieve the desired alcohol percentage of 40%. The product is then left to rest for several months. All Scorpio gins are London Dry Gins and are distilled with real herbs. No natural or artificial extracts or aromas are added, and certainly no sugar. All flavors come from the raw ingredients (botanicals, spices, and citrus fruits).
A Story of Scorpions, Lemons, and Wild Sage
The taste of Blue Scorpio is incomparable. The main ingredients are reminiscent of the two father figures to whom the gin is dedicated: lemons handpicked on the island of Capri, where one father was from, and wild sage from the Aurunci Mountains in Lazio, where the other father often retreated. And, of course, there is the distinctive flavor of juniper berries, which gives the gin its specific character. Finally, a balanced combination of twelve carefully selected ingredients evokes the scents of the Mediterranean.
Blue Scorpio offers a complex, almost sparkling mix of flavors. With its citrus aroma and salty herbal notes, this gin provides an explosion of taste. The initial impression is soft and delicate, yet refreshing, with light spicy undertones. Besides the classic gin and tonic, a Negroni made with Blue Scorpio is also a delight for the palate. However, this gin can also be enjoyed neat to fully savor its refined flavors. Needless to say, this gin is our absolute favourite from the range.”
Blue Scorpio won the silver medal at the World Spirit Trophy in 2022 and 2023, as well as at the Concours International de Lyon in 2023.
Oaked Scorpio
Oaked Scorpio originated from Alessandro Di Sarno’s idea to age Blue Scorpio gin in French oak barrels. This gin is smooth and delicate, offering fresh and intense notes of caramel, vanilla, and roasted hazelnuts. The rich, enveloping wood adds depth and significance to the juniper and sage. Oaked Scorpio is produced as a limited edition in small, hand-numbered batches, and stands out for its smoothness, intensity, and depth. This gin is highly appreciated by connoisseurs, who enjoy its distinctive qualities as a perfect ending to a meal or paired with a grand cru chocolate, but also in an unexpected gin and tonic.
Oaked Scorpio won the double gold medal at the World Spirit Trophy in 2023.
Naked Scorpio
Naked Scorpio 0% alcohol is a distillate of eleven botanical ingredients and contains no added aromas or extracts. Without sugar, preservatives, or citric acid, it is a natural product and a great alternative for a healthier aperitif. With its fragrant notes reminiscent of gingerbread, along with the freshness of lemon and the herbaceous, salty notes of sage, Naked Scorpio offers a moment of unexpected, intoxicating pleasure. Delicious as a gin and tonic with a few basil leaves or as a mocktail. Enjoy it without moderation!
