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Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin
Distiller Score 88
Citrus is dominant through the entire experience, especially on the nose. A subtle hint of sanshō pepper joins in on the palate, as notes of earth and wood start to come through. Ginger makes a strong appearance near the end, adding to a warm, spicy, and satisfying finish.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Plymouth Navy Strength Gin
Distiller Score 95
Much like the standard Plymouth bottling, sweet citrus and coriander notes take charge on the nose while the juniper becomes more present on the taste and finish. Good bite to the gin with some oiliness felt on the palate. Gentle sweetness on the palate and you're left with warm spices. Plymouth is known to most as the benchmark Navy Strength bottling, and for good reason. It's such a pleasure to drink on it's own it's a wonder more folks don't just order this on the rocks and be done with it.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Whitley Neill Gin
Distiller Score 88
Upon first smelling the gin, you get a mix of fruity/floral aromas. The gin has an undertone of spices with some anise, cardamom coming to mind. Juniper provides a nice piney note coming through mostly at the finish. A nice dry finish. Solid gin, not an everyday London Dry style, but not too odd that would make certain cocktails offputting. Well worth seeking out.
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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Tanqueray No. TEN Gin
Distiller Score 93
There are dark spices in the background, but unlike the standard bottling, bright citrus is all around and is most strong on the aroma. Some fresh herb, earthy roots, and juniper are found as well and all work well in concert on the palate. The finish is clean and crisp with some spice (cinnamon, perhaps) and bitterness on the finish. Tanqueray's standard gin is no slouch, but this is the rare occasion, like with The Godfather, where the sequel is even better than the original. Gin Martini. High recommendation.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Kyrö Gin
Distiller Score 92
The aroma of coriander comes through along with bright citrus tones and fresh green grass. There's a pleasant savoriness to it all. On tasting, the base spirit is lean and dry with juniper present, but not overpowering. The finish shows gentle floral notes and a peppery finish. A zippy gin and an all-around cocktail use. Start with a gin & tonic.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Citadelle Réserve Gin
Distiller Score 89
This impressively complex gin pours a light straw color with highlights of pale gold. The aromatics have heady alpine influence with earthy and floral notes of root botanicals and wild violets. The palate has notable richness and initially shows high tones of juniper and toasted ginger before settling into a lingering vanilla and cassia bark spice. A bit of an odd gin with a broad range of flavors that is shown at it’s best served neat.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Manatawny Still Works Gin Finished in Port Barrels
Distiller Score 86
The nose moves between an herbaceous side featuring juniper, tart red berries, and butterscotch. The port influence comes on with a flourish on a rich palate, with juicy plums, raspberry syrup, and lingonberry preserves. The finish is spicy and astringent, with tannic oak, orange peels, black pepper, and vanilla extract.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Roku Gin
Distiller Score 90
On the nose, the initial burst of yuzu is followed closely by buttery pastries and walnuts. Roku eases smoothly on to the palate delivering abundant citrus, butter, toffee, and a hint of juniper, which is joined by pepper to bring a satisfying, spicy finish. A very worthy "protagonist" of the Japanese gin movement.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Leopold's Navy Strength American Gin
Distiller Score 95
Fragrant Bergamot peel and a lovely lavender note come through from the nosing all the way to the finish on this gin. The mid-palate shows the bold spicy juniper and there is a warmth coming through from the coriander and cardamom. This is just a touch oilier than the brother gin which has a different recipe; the lower proof version showed a more classic approach while this has a modern touch. Cocktail suggestion: A modern spin on a gin and tonic served in a long-stemmed copa glass.
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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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