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Beefeater London Dry Gin (47%)
Distiller Score 97
The botanicals shine through from afar with juniper and citrus peel coming in first. The nose leads to an herbal, cooked celery aroma with lots of black pepper. As you taste, the spices take over with a warming feeling. The touch of licorice lends just the right amount of sweetness to balance the gin. The coriander works really well in this botanical recipe by not taking over as it can often do. This belongs in the Hall of Fame for the Martini, but the proof allows it to stand out and stand up to bold flavors so bring on the Negroni.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hayman's London Dry Gin
Distiller Score 90
The aroma is pretty intense with classic aromas with a bit of sweet spices particularly coriander. The licorice comes through just a touch as you taste. Citrus and cinnamon are the last notes you taste at the finish. This is an all-around use gin, but the sweet spices come through just a bit stronger which play nicely into a berry-based cocktail like a Clover Club.
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
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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 Gin
Distiller Score 85
Citadelle Gin has great aromas of spruce-scented juniper and a surprising amount of green coriander leaf that combine for a somewhat complex and herbaceous character. That palate has a nice richness (perhaps the result of those flame-powered pot stills) that finishes with a very intense spicy/sweet character fueled from the use of fresh cinnamon. A gin that has several classic components with a well-executed but somewhat simple focus on coriander and cinnamon. A sure-fire gin and tonic winner.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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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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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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Bombay Original London Dry Gin (40%)
Distiller Score 88
The aroma is distinctly earthy and herbal, almost to the degree a freshly-potted plant. Return trips to the glass continue to highlight these aromas. The flavors of the botanicals make their appearances all taking their turns forming a solid base. The gin isn't too oily and shows a dry finish. A classic all-around gin and on the savory side of things. Perhaps using in a Gibson Martini or a Negroni could put it to good use.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tanqueray London Dry Gin (47.3%)
Distiller Score 90
There's a big pop coriander along with the juniper and licorice which gives it a sweet note about it. The gin is fairly oily and continues on the palate what was discovered on the nose; the coriander comes in a bit stronger in the palate and the finish. There's enough acidity in the gin to balance the sweetness; thoughts on a a drink would be a standard Gin & Tonic garnished with a lemon peel.
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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Broker's Gin (47%)
Distiller Score 89
As one might guess from the dapper British stockbroker on the label, Broker's is very much a traditional London Dry. Juniper is strong and aromatic on the nose, taking on a woodier, earthier tone on the palate. The other herbs play a supporting role, with nothing atypical to stand out. At 47% abv, this is a great gin for traditional cocktails at a very affordable price.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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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