Brookie's Byron Dry Gin

Warm, aniseed

Nose: Warm, fragrant and expansive but a little hard. The aromas are very much melded into a balanced whole that has aspects of juniper, citrus and herbs (spearmint, thyme and anise). There is an earthy quality and a sort of creamy coziness to the nose that is very pleasant. Even a deep nosing does not show a trace of ethanol but there is a brisk and almost metallic note in the background. Palate: Unexpectedly, given the round and comforting warmth of the nose, the arrival is immediately quite sharp and hot, but it's over a rich and creamy base. It gives an impression almost like chili pepper. The heat expands but never becomes unpleasant, and then gently subsides into the finish. There is lots of bright juniper and a nutty quality as well. The texture is good but again there is that hard note, which extends into the finish. Finish: Medium. The palate subsides into a spicy finish with a touch of sweetness. Alcohol is never apparent but that metallic, industrial presence haunts this gin. Cape Byron distillery is located on the north coast of NSW, not far south of the Queensland border, in a warm temperate rainforest area. The distillery particularly prides itself on the use of local botanicals and maintains it's own privately managed rainforest reserve where ingredients are gathered. The full recipe for this dry gin is not revealed, but it definitely contains finger limes, kumquat, aniseed myrtle, lilly pilly, macadamia nut, river mint and native ginger. The heat on the palate comes mainly from cinnamon myrtle and Dorrigo pepperberry. It's mostly a successful gin of the "modern dry" style. Assertive and quite intense, but the intensity is balanced by a creamy mouthfeel. However it stands out as bright and hot on first neat taste, and even using it in a G&T the raw hard background element pushes through. This is not a subtle gin, and that's its main fault. The distillery has fixated on assertive aromas and flavours to the point that it is something of a bludgeon. Taste this, then taste Whitley & Neill, The Botanist or any other more subtle gin and you'll instantly get what I mean. "Average" : 78/100 (2.75 stars)