Highest rated gin on Distiller, eh? Well, it certainly costs it. I opted for the half bottle, not only due to the high cost, but also because I really don't think this is going to meld as well as I've heard; 47 botanicals has got to be too many. I haven't looked at all of them, but I have to imagine that around 30 is when you won't be able to taste individual flavors, and likely around 40 is when you'd have to start raiding your pantry just to be able to fill out all 47. Still though, most things that Germany produce are superior, so let's see what happens.
This already starts out as intimidating, because even as I smell citrus, tea, and very slight juniper and black pepper, knowing that there are somehow 40 other things that I haven't picked up on is disappointing, and makes me think that I should be discovering much more on the scent. What I do get is very approachable, but only for a few seconds, as after that, the proof begins to burn away any of the more delicate notes.
The initial taste is very citrus forward, but not so much in a fresh, juicy way, but more as if you're chewing on candied citrus peels. There is a flavor of black pepper and black pepper related botanicals, but the spice from these ingredients don't actually propagate. If you've had at least several different gins before, you'd be able to tell this is a juniper based spirit, but it's very faint, and quite easy to let the other botanicals take the lead. The finish lets whatever flavors you've been tasting ride themselves out without interruption, but if you're paying attention, you can still tell with the gums tingling that the proof of this gin is higher than most others.
Honestly, this is a tasty, refreshing gin. However, there are many parts about it that are intimidating and seem to encourage amateur tasters to stay away. You could easily convince me that only 10-15 botanicals are used here, when in fact, that number would be less than a third of what is actually used. As I thought initially, I'm sure there was a line crossed where the distiller knew that the individual botanicals would no longer be able to be tasted, and instead opted on making a conglomerate that, although tastes good, only does so when a specific amount of all 47 botanicals are used, and would otherwise fall apart if not followed to the letter. I think it's because so many botanicals are used that the price is likely so high, as well, which is obviously fair to the consumer, but one would think is super frowned upon. Combine all of that, and it's easy to think you've got a "top shelf," "classy" gin, only used for sipping, when in reality, this would absolutely rock in a martini, and would still probably shine in a gin & tonic, but I can see being far too scared or cheap to try it. I'm sure all of that is somewhat unintentional, but it follows suit with the poisonous American whiskey community, which encourages consumers to savor the product instead of use it how it always should be, no matter what: how they like to drink it.