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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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Tanqueray Sevilla Orange Gin
Distiller Score 85
A summer gin at its best! Aromas of fresh orange blossoms and fruity marmalade. The palate is vibrant, sweet and oily with a just a glimpse of juniper berries. Finish is long, sweet and robust. Well balanced. Makes the best Negroni, or recommend trying it with a Mediterranean tonic and a few red peppercorns for garnish.
Reviewed by Johanne McInnis
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Tanqueray Malacca Gin
Distiller Score 86
Juniper plays a minor role here, showing up on the finish. Lime and ginger are more prominent with some rose notes throughout. It is slightly sweet muting the bite of the spices just a bit without drowning them out. The (relatively) low proof and sweetness makes this gin soft and plush. Would be a great entry to the category for those who think they don't like gin.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Distillery No. 209 Kosher-for-Passover Gin
Distiller Score 86
The sugarcane base creates a spirit with a higher perception of sweetness than most gins including Distillery No. 209’s flagship. In keeping with their house style, juniper elements are played down in favor of highlighting citrus, fresh coriander, and the welcome but uncommon savory flavor of bay leaf and a lingering finish of spicy cinnamon candy. The combined flavors are pleasant, but a bit subtle and would be a good recommendation for fans of New Western gin.
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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G'Vine Floraison Gin
Distiller Score 88
This gin starts off with fruity and fresh herbs on the nose and to those that have had grape eau de vie, this will be familiar to you. Green grapes, a little ginger, and something like pink bubblegum. The flavor is far less spicy than its sister, Nouaision. It is soft and delicate with more of the same found on the nose. The finish is slightly spicy and slightly bittersweet. This shouldn't be had in cocktails with powerful ingredients that would crush this gin; best in a drink like a French 75 or a simple gin and tonic with grape garnish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Nikka Coffey Gin
Distiller Score 88
The aroma is full of fresh, bright citrus, sansho pepper, and coriander. The lemon and orange citrus flavors continue to dominate the profile on the palate which is soft and full. There's a peppery backnote, but because the base distillate is rich and slightly sweet, the pepper isn't sharp. A versatile gin, and one that isn't entirely reworking the gin category.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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Botanica Spiritus Gin
Distiller Score 89
This is a firmly modern-style gin with juniper having a very lightly detectable presence. That is not to say that there are not plenty of other things to enjoy. The spirit combines very bright, citrus fruit flavors, earthy tea and cardamom, and, of course, the cool, refreshing tones of cucumber. The gin’s base is rich and round providing a delicious but assertive texture for the botanicals to play on. This is perhaps a bit too outré for a martini, but would be a delicious component in any citrus-driven drink and completely enjoyable with a couple of ice cubes and a lemon peel.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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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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Bobby's Schiedam Dry Gin
Distiller Score 90
Dominant aroma of lemongrass, giving it a fresh and inviting character. Plenty of coriander too, with hints of juniper in the background and a whisper of cinnamon. The palate is quite sweet, although the lemongrass is still omnipresent. Again, cinnamon plays a supporting role, while there's black peppercorns and cloves as well. The citrus notes linger for a long time. Should work well in cocktails, but is surprisingly easy to drink with some ice and an orange wedge.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn