* Gin tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, November 7th, 2018. Gin #5 Nose: Very full and rich with warm sweet juniper notes being strongly prominent. Citrus zest and some anise. Palate: Big, bright citrus on the arrival, gaining a lot of licorice and juniper as it develops. A resinous, piney quality and some strong lime zest and salt emerges as it moves into the finish. Finish: Medium. Salty and bitter-sour with citrus oil tones. This gin was formulated for the 10th anniversary of the distillery, hence the name Decade. It is an unusual profile being quite heavy on the juniper, and featuring a lot of saltbush and pink finger lime in the botanicals. Finger lime is a native Australian citrus about the size of a small cucumber with an inside that looks like cooked sago. It has a distinct and fine citrus flavor. Saltbush is a desert shrub that can grow in highly saline conditions and stores salt in the leaves. The profile is big, hefty and powerful and the relatively high abv conveys the spirit’s character with resolute conviction! I found it a little overbearing neat, but with ice and tonic it made a very full-flavoured drink with prominent woody flavours and a slightly odd citrine note. It was interesting, but not captivating. “Average” : 78/100 (2.75 stars)