All these p*ssheads who go to le-mans, bring some tasters please. Re sloe gin. placing the berry's in the freezer, breaks down the intracellular membranes, hence whilst macerating in the jar you get a fuller flavour, you should always go through the mind numbing job of pricking them. some recipes also call for almonds to be added, suprisingly it does add to the flavour, if you have the patience to keep it 3 years it's even better.