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The idea of Snoop Dogg sniffing botanicals with Dr. Dre in a gin distillery has just made my day.

I don’t know why, but I have visions of them wearing lab coats and safety goggles, and possibly a hair net in the case of Snoop.

Even better is the idea of the two of them analysing glass bottles in a warehouse somewhere. They would have had to remove their shades to get a better look, and I’m here for it.

Because, if you haven’t heard, the two rappers have just launched a gin together, called Still G.I.N by Dre and Snoop. The advert for their gin is AI-generated, and brings them together with deceased legends, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. The whole thing is meant to be showcasing the classic style with the modern, presumably like their gin. You can check the ad out on Youtube.

Refreshingly, for a celebrity drink brand, Snoop and Dre were apparently massively hands-on with the entire process. They’re not just stamping their name on it, but giving their input on everything from the bottle design through to sniffing botanicals to achieve the perfect blend of flavours. Again, I find the thought of Snoop and Dre handing over their tasting notes to the Master Distiller hilarious, and I won’t apologise for it. Good on them though.

Dre compares gin-creation to what they did with Beats headphones, saying: ‘Everything is us from the ground up: the gin, the flavour, the packaging…Everything had to be perfect.’ While Snoop had this to say about the collaboration: ‘We’re better together – it’s always magical. It’s incredible to know that you’ve got something amazing that you feel is gonna really work. From the look to the taste, it’s all there.’

They were inspired to co-create a gin when they found themselves in the studio together making ‘the dopest music’, while drinking gin on the job and having fun. I mean, why not? There’s no judgment here. Whatever gets the creative juices flowing, I say.

The gin itself only launched on March 27, so it’s still a baby, and we’re kind of getting the scoop here. Reading the accompanying bumf, this luxury gin hasn’t been chill filtered, which means it retails the heavier aromatic oils for a more complex sipping experience. The distillers use a copper pot still, which distributes heat evenly for a more controlled and slower distillation, making the gin smoother. Each batch is then hand vacuum distilled, giving the master distiller ultimate control over ever last nuance.

Apparently, this isn’t Snoop and Dre’s first foray into the alcohol space together either. It’s the second alcohol-based collaboration they’ve done together, which is news to me.

The first is a range of premium, sparkling gin-based cocktails called Juice By Dre and Snoop. The name plays homage to Snoop’s smash hit, Grammy-nominated song on his album ‘Doggystyle’, called ‘Gin and Juice’ and produced by, you guessed it, Dr Dre.

And, who could forget Snoop’s range of wines? Snoop Cali Red and Rosé, in collaboration with 19 Crimes, designed to represent the laid-back California lifestyle. We’ll get into that shortly…

In fact, let’s jump right in, here’s what I make of their drinks empire.

Still G.I.N By Dre and Snoop, £38, uk.dreandsnoop.com

It has to be said, this is a delightful gin. They’ve nailed everything from the packaging through to the aroma and the flavour profile. Sure, the bottle reminds me of Sex Panther Cologne from the film, Anchorman, but it also oozes luxury. In terms of the liquid, there’s a thwack of citrus on the nose, with lightly floral notes not unlike a summer meadow. Flavour-wise, we’re talking a beautiful profile of Meyer lemon, lemon thyme, tangerine, nectarine and a light dusting of baking spices. Perhaps some additional base notes could have give it more dimension, but I’m being picky. This gin would do its best work in a Martini, possibly without even needing to trouble a bottle of vermouth. I still think neat, over a gigantic rock of ice, would be my preference.

Verdict: 9/10

Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop Melon, £2.50, Ocado.com

I’ll be transparent, I’d intended to loathe this product. Not just this particular flavour, but the entire Gin & Juice range. I know, I should be impartial, but aesthetically it looks like it will 100% be sugary and artificial-tasting. I was pleasantly surprised, the flavour of melon in this can are subtle, authentic-ish and refreshing. It’s made from gin, sparkling water and fruit juice, and would go down well with anyone who likes a hard seltzer. Disclaimer; fans of intense flavours in their cocktails will be disappointed.

Verdict: 6.5/10

Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop Passionfruit, £2.50, Ocado.com

I often find passionfruit difficult to get right in a ready-to-drink, canned format. For some reason, it tends to taste artificial, overly sulfurous or nothing like the actual fruit. Although this is a pleasant drop, and as subtly refreshing as the melon version, it doesn’t actually taste of passionfruit. More grape, if you ask me, though still appealing when fridge-chilled. Again, the barely-there fruit flavours won’t appeal to everyone.

Verdict: 5/10

Cali by Snoop Rosé, £10, Ocado.com

Like an alcoholic boiled sweet, I just can’t get behind this wine. Designed in partnership with Treasury Wine Estates, bizarrely, I can see what they’re trying to achieve. It does give flavours of strawberries and raspberries, but in a candied, Haribo-esque style. Lovers of white zinfandel styles will go for this, Provence rosé lovers will not.

Verdict: 3/10

Cali by Snoop Red, £9.47 (save £2.50), Asda.com

Featuring a medley of particularly expressive grapes, including Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Merlot, this fruit bomb of a red is giving alcoholic mixed berry Bonne Maman jam in a bottle. It’s underpinned by a layer of toasty oak, which juts out awkwardly within the blend. However, looking at the general consumer reviews, people seem to like its easy-going style and smooth texture. I suppose one man’s poison is another man’s treasure.

Verdict: 4.5/10

In conclusion, I thought the gin was a triumph, whereas the cocktails could have done with more intensity of flavour. Let’s not talk about Snoop’s wines again though, shall we?

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