Sloe Gin Has Turned Out Bitter -Any Ideas?

[Retrochic]

I picked the sloes same place as usual same time as usual and did the same recipe as usual and we have cracked open a bottle for New Year. Big disappointment! The gin is very bitter -tongue curling bitter -the only difference was I froze the sloes this year as someone suggested it would stop the need for pricking them all over. I've added extra sugar in the form of a sugar syrup but it hasn't made any difference -any suggestions?

[EcclesCake]

Leave it at the back of the cupboard to mature. I find it is always better a year or two after bottling.

[jack daniels]

it looks like what you've done already with sugar syrup was correct

http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/sloe-gin-recipe/

Anna x

[ubasses]

Freezing should not have made any difference, I always freeze until I get round to making the sloe gin. Hope the sugar syrup works.

[shoota]

How long have you left it Retro?
6 months is an absolute minimum IMO, I leave it for at least a year.

[Booldawg]

freezing wouldn't make it bitter. Freezing the sloes encourages the sloes to burst, releasing the juice. Quicker than either waiting for a hard frost or pricking each sloe by hand.