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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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