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Central Standard New American Gin
Distiller Score 84
This is a fantastic watermark for the New American style of gin. The spirit base is made from malted white wheat imparting a pleasant - but not cloyingly - sweet vehicle for the botanicals to ride. And speaking of botanicals, juniper lovers need not apply as this gin lacks much of the classic berry. That’s not to say that this is not a delicious spirit. More exotic and floral botanicals take juniper’s place including chamomile, lavender, and schizanda berry which create a bright and balanced drink for open-minded gin drinkers. Best served with tonic on a hot day.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Damrak Gin
Distiller Score 83
The gin shows a sweet profile with citrus taking over on the aroma. There are some gentle floral notes as well, and the juniper is very light. As you taste, the gin is soft and a bit sweet on the palate. Some spice and earthy notes come through on the taste profile, but the citrus dominates it all. As the juniper isn't super powerful, would please those just getting into the category. That said, the price is suitable for any gin drinker.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Spring44 Gin
Distiller Score 88
This gin shows a wonderful medley of scents of wild mountain flowers and crisp citrus peel with a back current of evergreen juniper. The agave nectar adds a bit of mouthfeel and texture to the gin’s mid palate for a rich, dense spirit with a long, easy-drinking finish. This is an interesting midway point between European tradition and American ingenuity. An easy choice for a gin and tonic or other refreshing long drinks.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Oryza Gin
Distiller Score 72
This gin is a bit shy, with only hints of its advertised scents of cantaloupe and satsuma. Most beguiling is its almost total lack of juniper aroma which is perhaps a nod to America’s new gin order that prefers the exotic over the traditional. The rice distillate comes across as light bodied with some ripe fruit flavors and then a finish that extols peppercorn spice and perhaps a bit of the spirit’s relatively high abv. Drinkable as an innocuous mixer, but ultimately this is a drink not made for gin drinkers.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Tanqueray Rangpur Gin
Distiller Score 85
The juicy mandarin really comes through on the aroma, covering up the juniper actually. As you taste, the ginger and juniper make appearances, the Rangpur lime is still holding strong. So as not to cover the gin's unique botanical, best to serve as a Spanish style gin and tonic or in a Gin Rickey to have the gin be the star.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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New Amsterdam Gin
Distiller Score 76
Sweet orange peel takes over on the nose with the herbal grass notes coming in a distant second. New Amsterdam Gin is oily and sweet on your palate with the juniper tough to suss out as is its intention to remain in the background. On that front, they've succeeded. The finish is just orange and black pepper. Drink recommendation? Definitely not a martini. Perhaps try something with fresh citrus juice like a Salty Dog cocktail--grapefruit juice and gin with a salted rim served over ice.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Conniption American Dry Gin
Distiller Score 88
This is a very citrus-forward gin with prevailing notes of grapefruit, lime and orange held up by coriander, cardamom and grassy cucumber, which seems like it's in a fight to the teeth with the juniper, but the does end in a clean finish. Fans of Hendrick's would enjoy this one as an alternative.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Eden Mill Oak Gin
Distiller Score 91
Barrel-aging gin is certainly a style that has gained a following and it seems that distilleries are in no rush to stop bringing them to market. Unfortunately there are a dearth of barreled gins that lose their juniper complexity in the name of oaky vanillin and residual whiskey flavors. Eden Mill’s take on the style features a deft touch of oak from it’s relatively brief sojourn in barrel of only a couple of weeks. The light golden spirit features juniper prominently with a touch of creamy malt and dried citrus. Perhaps not oaky enough for some, but a very balanced gin that pleases on its own and shows a subtle complexity.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Hayman's Old Tom Gin
Distiller Score 90
Sweet spices and floral aromas are found as you smell Hayman's Old Tom Gin. It is soft on your palate as the sugar has rounded out the edges and tamed the juniper. The floral note comes back, but it is not intrusive. With a slightly sweet finish, there isn't much bitter to be had. Drink recommendations? Martinez or a Tom Collins.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Citadelle Jardin d'été Gin
Distiller Score 88
Though melon is one of the ingredients that's meant to set this gin apart, it's only delicately pushed to the palate as a backdrop to more citrusy, floral, junipery and herbal flavors. Zesty spices, particularly a sharp, spicy pepper note tickle the back of the throat. With a bit of sparkling water, more of the fruity notes work their way into the palate, but interestingly, tonic brings out more of the spice.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Prairie Organic Gin
Distiller Score 73
Prairie Gin shows classic aromatics of piney juniper and earthy roots over a baseline of toasted grains. The palate is a bit soft, but has the requisite herbaceous to define it as gin. Unfortunately the grain spirit base shows too much sweetness and any of the complexity of the other ingredients is ultimately lost. This would be an okay introduction to the category but gin aficionados should steer clear.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Black Button Lilac Gin
Distiller Score 74
This makes for a bittersweet nose. The lush patch of lilac you smell is enticing but soon after is covered up by chopped up soap. The palate is a search for those lilacs again. You sift through lots of soap, some crushed coriander, and orange rind but the flowers are found again on the finish. Unfortunately the finish isn’t terribly long. This will flourish in an Aviation.
Reviewed by Sam Davies