-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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