Old Raj Dry Gin (55%)

Juniper and citrus on the nose, lightly floral with spices in the background. Citrus, juniper, and a little ethanol in the mouth. Floral quality follows with spices like coriander and peppercorn coming on in a long full finish. Full oily mouthfeel, hint of straw color in the bottle. At this 55 ABV it serves well in classic cocktails, but the citrus and underlying floral make it worthy of drinking by itself.

Strong orange peel smell and flavor, moderate juniper, moderate spice, plenty of ethanol on the nose but that’s to be expected at 55%. All in all, it’s a damn good gin if you don’t want a dominating juniper/sage/pine flavor and want something closer to a flavored vodka.

Nose: Strong, orange peel and peppery are quite dominant, some licorice, and flowers are always behind. Palate: Straight up - I am also a whisky fan and oh it is so much like tasting a cask strength whisky. Pepper and spicy on tongue with bitterness of fruit peels, and after you swallow the flavours flow back from the throat to bring more of the fruit peels but also some herbs, and a smoky leftover. The creamy texture is also uncommon on gins and it keeps the flavours longer on the tongue. With Tonic (Fever Tree) - more of the lighter characters come out like floral with orange peel, and scents of cinnamon. Finish: As if it never ends, very long on the pleasant bitterness of orange peel and juniper. Very interesting and it is rare for a gin to handle so well with straight up. Sorry for not exactly knowing what saffron tastes like - but I believe its addition likely have brought the flavours together in a strange harmony.