Bluecoat American Dry Gin

My first gin. This is how it all begins. This reminds me of a book my daughter used to read called "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...". One thing leads to another, and it's escalated 10 fold. Back in college, you start with your first beer. In no time at all, you're then sipping locally made craft beer from organic farm-to-table ingredients. Then, you have your first wine. Soon enough, you're sipping Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, talking about differences in vintages and terroir. Then, you get your first taste of whiskey. Before you know it, you're hoarding Karuizawas, Hanyus, and Broras hoping that you'll soon open it (or sell it). You then up the game to mezcal. Before you know it, you're standing in the middle of some dusty Oaxacan village sipping freshly barreled mezcal while petting Chico, that sleepy-eyed donkey pulling the stone wheel grinding the agave hearts. Yup. That's how it all starts. So...now it's gin. Thanks to GeologyJack, I had my very first gin. I'm not going to rate it, since I have no idea if it's good or bad...but...yeah, I liked it. Felt like sucking on a pine needle while walking through cool mountain air. Thanks GeologyJack! Would I buy a bottle? No. Because as much as I liked it, just like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", I'll then soon be looking at a Christmas tree wondering what it'll taste like distilled as gin.

This gin is sharp - it has a clear, crisp juniper and citrus nose, and a very crisp and quick juniper flavor, followed immediately by a host of different notes rising from both the mash bill and the botanicals. The grains come through, especially the corn (earthy)and rye (peppery spice). The botanicals impart a very nice citrus tone - lemons, oranges and grapefruit. Adding a bit of water tones down the juniper, enhances the botanicals and brings out a nuanced pastis note. The finish continues with lime, pepper and spruce.