cascode
Scapegrace Gold Navy Strength Gin
Navy-Strength Gin — New Zealand
Reviewed
April 21, 2019 (edited July 20, 2022)
Blind gin tasting, Sydney, April 20, 2019.
On Saturday I took part in a blind tasting of 9 gins and I'm recording the group consensus notes here in order of increasing score.
Gin #9 on the day was Scapegrace Gold (57% abv). This gin may have suffered from being the last on the card, as by that time palates were getting tired. It was still rated equal 2nd of the day.
The notes were very consistent between the group, and maybe the abv masked subtle hints and only showed the most outstanding facets. I noted simply that it was a boldly assertive juniper-citrus nose with an equally bold palate. Everyone noted that this was obviously a high proof spirit, with guesses ranging from 50-60% abv. A strong star anise and licorice note was commented on in both the nose and palate, and two of the group said they noticed a tannic edge, and thought it may have been a lightly barrel-aged gin (it's not). I noted that it was powerful and uncompromising, with a profile more straightforward than complex, but that it was an outstanding mixer with tonic and most likely "couldn't be drowned if you tried".
Every member of the tasting group rated it as 4/5 (but it should be noted that when the price was revealed some of the group agreed that as good as it is, it is not great value for money).
"Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)
120.0
AUD
per
Bottle
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I liked how you summarized the group review. This really is an outstanding gin and I will try to get Monkey 47 or Cotswold. Thanks.
@cascode Sounds interesting. I'll be buying bottles of all three (although I'll have to wait a while for Cotswold as they arent distributing in NZ yet)
@Soba45 Never-Never make intensely powerful juniper-heavy gin that you'll either love or hate. Cadenheads make two gins, basically the same recipe but at low and high abv. It's not a blazingly characterful gin, but it has a lush, creamy character and no bitterness or hardness at all. You might not be impressed immediately, but it really grows on you. It's the opposite of Cotswolds, which is very crisp and fresh tasting, but equally good.
@cascode Ah nice. Cotswold are coming to Dramfest next March so I'll keep an eye out. Never Never I saw in the store so that's next on my list and didn't realise Cadenhead did one. Thanks!
@Soba45 The top rating gins we tasted were Cotswolds Dry Gin and Never Never Juniper Freak Gin, which scored equal points. Roku was voted the best value gin. The best gin I've ever tasted was McHenry's Federation Gin, but it seems to be impossible to find now. My current personal favourites are Cotswolds, Monkey 47 and Cadenheads Old Raj.
Oh and it just won best Gin worldwide out of 600 at the IWSC. Out of interest what was your favourite and what was top group rated?
Nice review. I just bought a bottle today. I drank it straight and was impressed.. couldn't believe it was 57% and very nice straight.