*** Sloe warning! ***
I didn't get around to making my sloe gin until early November. When I did, I tried a couple of sloes and they were almost edible, bordering on sweet!!! Also, after about ten days, my gin looks almost ready! There must have been something special about this year's crop - a bumper harvest indeed.
Anyway, be careful in adding sugar to your gin, particularly if you have a standard recipe!