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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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Revivalist Gin Summertide Expression
Distiller Score 90
The aromas in Summertide show dense floral character reminiscent of a botanical garden in full bloom. The palate is rich with a good sense of weight and the bouquet of sweet, dark roses is expertly balanced by refreshing lemon peel and a touch of juniper. The gin is distinct and nontraditional, but certainly of high quality and complex enough to be enjoyed on its own. The intense floral flavors, however, may be too far of a departure from classic London Dry to enjoy in some cocktails.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Cutler's Gin
Distiller Score 91
This is a fairly exotic gin with bold aromas of wild orange and floral teas. The palate is rich and round and continues to show sweet citrus and a very light touch of juniper. On continued tasting, subtle notes of licorice and slightly spicy toasted clove also become apparent and compliment the citrusy components. The finish has a nice weight and doesn’t show any heat from its 46 degrees of alcohol. This is certainly a contemporary American-style gin with a low emphasis on juniper, but there are enough other elements to keep the spirit interesting.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Eden Mill Love Gin
Distiller Score 97
Although some of the elements are rather exotic, this is a gin drinker's gin with plenty of traditional character and the recognizable core of juniper. Hibiscus macerated after distillation lends a slight pinkish/gold hue (Valentine’s Day anyone?) and add some delicious floral notes. As seems to be the case at Eden Mill, the distillate is rich and creamy with very little presence of alcohol. One could apply this successfully to classic gin cocktails, but the combination of ripe fruit and floral complexity and great drinkability makes this a balanced drink on it’s own with perhaps a floral garnish.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Nordés Atlantic Galician Gin
Distiller Score 73
Refreshing aromas of cantaloupe, honeysuckle, jasmine, green tea and pine provide a breezy introduction to the nose. The palate is a much harsher story. Hey, who invited the liquid potpourri and melted bubblegum? An overwhelming perfuminess and persistent, cotton candy-like sweetness nearly edge out any hint of citrus, or juniper, for that matter. Perhaps this gin is best used as a cocktail modifier for recipes calling for florals. As a standalone, it's pretty hard to get past all that perfume.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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McQueen and the Violet Fog Ultraviolet Edition
Distiller Score 83
As the name suggests, the color of the gin is violet, but it's not opaque. As for the aroma, it leans heavily on fruity aromas, particularly citrus but also blueberries. The hibiscus tea and rose petals gives it a mild floral note, but it's far from a potpourri fragrance. It's full-bodied and not super complex or spicy. Again, it's more fruit-forward and the flavor is lightly sweet. There's a faint peppery bite at the end, but it fades fast. Would have preferred a stronger proof. It's a crowd-pleasing spirit, but if you're a true juniper-head you might be disappointed as it seems more of a flavored vodka. Still, it'll be fun to mix in your cocktails and highballs.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Nolet's Silver Gin
Distiller Score 95
The juniper pine notes provide the backnote, but Nolet's Silver Gin is full of freshly sliced peach, ripe raspberry, and roses. Those notes are each found individually but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but definitely worth a try at least. Cocktail suggestions: Think bubbles (French 75, Champagne Cocktail, Gin Fizz) or punch preparations..not really suited for classic martinis.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hendrick's Midsummer Solstice
Distiller Score 86
The aroma is quite sweet and floral with orange notes, but it doesn't dial into the potpourri territory. It's more fresh than dried floral notes. The gin is oily and moderately sweet tasting with those same flavors on the palate as the nose. Not terribly complex, but delivers what is promised.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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St. Augustine New World Gin
Distiller Score 93
As the name implies, this is a departure from the juniper heavy London style gin and instead emphasizes southeast America’s flora. The perfume of fresh, sweet citrus skin is tempered by a savory baseline of coriander, cassia bark, and angelica. On further tasting a subtle back note of juniper becomes apparent and lends a pleasurable sense of medicinal spice for an added degree of complexity. The 47% alcohol is very well handled and makes for a gin quite enjoyable on ice. The spirit’s freshness and bright character lends itself very well to tonic or cocktails that include citrus, but dry martini fans may miss the juniper intensity of more old world style gins.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Revivalist Gin Equinox Expression
Distiller Score 93
This is truly a springtime-reminiscent gin with impressive aromas of wild meadow flowers and lemon hard-candy. The palate is refreshing and the echoing floral characteristics are well-balanced by bittersweet citrus-peel and tones of savory angelica and coriander. The finish has a hint of spice making the mouth water for another sip. A star in shaken citrus cocktails and a no-brainer gin & tonic spirit.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Caorunn Gin
Distiller Score 92
The juniper aroma is pleasantly mixed with the apple and floral notes. These flavors continue on the palate with the spice factor fairly low. The is a lovely gin with a tasting profile built for sours or long drinks.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bluecoat Elderflower Gin
Distiller Score 87
Rose petals and elderflower kick off the fragrant nose, with plenty of lemon peel and pith. The palate remains floral, with more of that rose-elderflower tandem, while also showcasing an herbaceous side backed by bitter angelica, lychee, and peppermint. A floral finish showcases orange peel and pink peppercorns. Light on the juniper, this is almost more akin to a high ABV liqueur than a flavored gin, though in either case it's a fun choice for cocktail experimentation.
Reviewed by Jake Emen