St. George Dry Rye Gin

Nose is warm rye flavors with caraway and fresh mikan zest. Tastes of fresh rye bread with very dry citrus pith. Peppery, almost aquavit-like. I wish I had sour cream, dill, and lox.

This is a very interesting gin. This kicks of with mineral notes and some moderate spice before the floral notes take over and dominate. Corriander plays well with the flowers and minerals. There is the faintest hint if caraway as well. These flavors neatly avoid the rancid bread flavor that plagues grappa and other drinks that attempt this balance. Toward the finish, some rich fruit comes in, backed by some botanicals, including some subtle juniper. It is on the rich and sweet side for gin, which is surprising given that it is a rye. If these flavors were prominent in a whiskey, I would be upset, but in this drink they are quite welcome. It's really a matter of framing the drink and the context in which it is consumed. The variety and balance are great. It reminds me a bit of Espolon Blanco in how it subverts it's genre and turns out well despite some questionable elements. It has more subtlety than Beefeater and its flavors are more suitable together. It's definitely quite a bit like grappa, but it's also better. Complaining about grappa at the beginning and middle is fine, but the sweet and rich finish holds its own.

All the rye flavor, none of the whiskey. Needs extra lemon if making a simple G&T to balance out the stronger juniper/rye. Yum!