ContemplativeFox
Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
Distilled Gin — British Columbia, Canada
Reviewed
July 10, 2021 (edited November 22, 2021)
Rating: 15/23
N: An initial gin sharpness with some tartness and definite juniper. Then some more mellow herbal scents come in, adding some richness and a bit of vegetal character. It's hard to describe at this point. It could even be faintly nutty - like stale hazelnut.
P: Decently bright, but not aggressive, it goes right into the spices and herbs. There's some vegetal character adding richness, but it never leaps into the foreground. There are hints of fruit (orange, lemon) at points, but there really isn't much in that dimension, which surprises me since this gin is blue. This is very balanced, but also complex. I get the juniper, but there are lots of other flavors here. There's a bit of a floral character flitting throughout, but it's far from overwhelming (this is no Nolet's).
This isn't that punchy gin that you'd drown in a fruity cocktail, but it might work nicely in a martini with its complexity. The spices give some heat at times, but this is never harsh.
It took me a bit, but I think that stale nuttiness might be coming from a sort of stale coriander. I don't think that makes it better or worse, but maybe I understand it better now.
F: Kind of rich with a little nuttiness and still some vague herbs and spices. A faint vegetal character is in the rich backing.
- Conclusion -
This is a good gin. It's a new take, but it nails this really balanced character with some nice swirling complexity. I can easily sip this. I don't know why they decided it should be blue, but it's really good. Mellower than even Plymouth, but really nicely executed. I'd take this over Plymouth, though they don't seem suited to the same context. Likewise, I'd take Leopold's Navy Strength over this, though, again, not really the same context. Honestly, this seems a bit more in the realm of Frangelico and Chartreuse Green, but with less sweetness. The gin it reminds me most of is Sipsmith, but without that atrocious fishiness. Side by side, the fishiness in Sipsmith is intense.
I think I would be inclined to take Pacific Voyager over this if I were looking for a gin though. This looks like it's heading for a 15. I really enjoy this and I definitely can see myself buying a bottle in the future, but it hasn't quite clicked with me to the point of being something I would consider a go-to for any cocktail and there are other spirits in the price range that I'd rather have neat.
Thanks @ctbeck11 for the sample!
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This is from the city I live in and I'm glad to see it's making a mark internationally... very popular here. slightly floral for me, and I prefer their "Victoria Gin" over the Empress Gin, however it is not as trailblazing and unique :)
Sorry to hear of your insect battle but sounds as though you were ultimately victorious. The blue color comes from the infusion of butterfly tea blossom. Spot on with the coriander used in the infusion as well. We like this one for gin and tonic for it's eye appeal but marries well with citrus garnish.. Empress recommends a grapefruit wedge and color of the finished drink varies slightly with lime, orange a grapefruit with the latter drifting toward pink Love this gin
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington @ContemplativeFox close...RAID wasp and hornet killer...but I was only a match away from going full out Rambo, bandana and all. Finally, I can peacefully go pick my Brandywine tomatoes and cuca-melons in peace...
@PBMichiganWolverine please tell me a crossbow and flaming arrows were involved. May prednisone and Benadryl lead you to a hasty recovery.
@PBMichiganWolverine Holy cow, I missed an important development! I'm really glad you're ok after that. Stay safe @ctbeck11
@ctbeck11 they may have sent me to the ER Friday ( turned out to be about 17-25 stings ), but I won the war. Killed them all last night Rambo style. These bastards were 1 inch long and freakin’ aggressive—-attacked as soon as they felt footsteps approaching.
I enjoyed this one. It’s not bold, but mixes well, which is its intended purpose. @PBMichiganWolverine Yep, it makes for a beautiful presentation. I used most of the bottle to make Bee’s Knees cocktails my wife and her friends. Speaking of bees (or hornets specifically), I hope you’re recovering well from your garden battle. I’ve been fighting off wasps attempting to build nests on my front porch recently. I haven’t been stung yet, but still not able to declare victory.
Is this the one that changes color to pink when something acidic is added ? Probably meant more for showy cocktails than drinking neat or on ice