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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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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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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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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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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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Filliers 5 Year Oude Graanjenever
Distiller Score 89
The nose is young and malty, with fresh notes of juniper, as well as nutmeg and orange. The palate displays a lovely fruitiness (think red apple), followed by cinnamon and cardamom, before ending on grassy notes. The balance of this drink is impressive, especially at this age.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn
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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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Broker's Gin (40%)
Distiller Score 87
The aroma is much more aromatic with the sweeter notes of coriander and licorice coming in stronger on this lower proof version compared to the 47% ABV. Naturally, it is softer and rounder with the additional water, but the juniper is still the king overall. The higher proof version is also more bitter than this version and shows more cinnamon. Still a solid value, this. Would serve in a Negroni.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Zuidam Rogge Genever
Distiller Score 90
The rye influence is very clear. Notes of menthol, rye bread and oranges. Quite sweet as well, with marshmallow at the forefront. The palate has a lovely spiciness to it, but also some great sweet and sour interplay. Plenty of toffee too. If you love rye whiskey, this is certainly worth looking out for.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn
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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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Rutte Jonge Graanjenever
Distiller Score 97
This jenever is quite aromatic. Sweet and savory botanicals are in use here and what comes to mind is that it is balanced. Holiday cookies also come to mind as there's a sweet pastry quality. But don't misunderstand. This isn't overly sweet, but it is very enticing. What really sets this jenever apart is that often times when tasting jenever the neutral grain component and the malt wine component can be tasted separately from each other in the final result. Not here. This is just stunning. Serve lightly chilled and neat.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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