cascode
Aviation American Gin
Modern Gin — Oregon, USA
Reviewed
November 16, 2019 (edited April 24, 2022)
Nose: Light but balanced. Juniper is present (which it must be) but it is complimented, and almost overpowered, by citrus and floral notes and a little vanilla. There is also a slight intrusion of ethanol - this could almost be mistaken for a good botanical vodka were it not for the occasional waft of juniper.
Palate: A sweet arrival with subdued spices. It has some peppery notes but it's not hot at all and there is an excellent creamy texture. As is the case with the nose there is only a restrained juniper character and ethanol is again obviously present, however it's top-quality grain spirit and the profile is well balanced and agreeable.
Finish: Short. Citrus and mild spicy/herbal/woody tones.
This has an unusually mild juniper presence for a gin. The nose gains more citrus as you get used to it with a distinct lemon zest aroma coming to dominate.
It's also a gin that I enjoyed both neat and as a mixer. The profile is so balanced, creamy and relaxed that it is wonderful straight. I poured an ounce of this into a glencairn (which is how I taste all spirits) and without even realizing it I polished it off before I'd finished the review - dangerously drinkable!
On reflection, and once I had worked my way through most of a bottle, I came to think that this has some characteristics that are reminiscent of genever. It does not have the malty white-dog aromas but it has the slick, oily, almost slippery texture. I can't believe this is by accident - the distiller who formulated this gin must have had genever in the back of his mind.
I've not tried it in a martini yet, but this weekend I'm meeting up with a mate who is the master of that drink, so I'll report back on what he makes of it. I have a feeling it will make an exceptionally friendly and approachable cocktail.
"Very Good" : 87/100 (4.25 stars)
79.99
AUD
per
Bottle
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@cascode thanks for the update!Sounds like this and a few other juniper-light gins might find their way to my cabinet this spring. I might break the mild and try your trick of being more heavy handed with the vermouth.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington I'm shocked it's over two years since I first had Aviation! It seems like yesterday. Yes we did do the martini experiment - I liked the result, he didn't, but we have different palates. I like a creamy, rich gin like this one and I'm heavy-handed with the vermouth so my martini is always "wet". He prefers a crisp gin with just a smear of vermouth and mixes a dessicatingly bone dry martini.
@cascode ever get the chance to have your friend whip up a martini with this one? I’ve about given up on the cocktail as well - hoping the right gin can save it. Also looking for something like this to try in an aviation cocktail.
Having now had a day to get to know this gin I'm more and more impressed. The base grain spirit is remarkably good - not at all like the thin and hard neutral spirit often used for gin. This is more like corn spirit distilled in a Coffey still sufficiently to be "neutral" but still retaining a soft and creamy texture with just a trace of flavour. Definitely recommended. I just polished of a couple of pours neat while watching a movie (instead of my usual whisky) and thoroughly enjoyed them.
@cascode Haha.. good friend to have!
@Soba45 I've had so many depressingly bad martinis in my life I've given up on them for the most part, and I fully admit I can't make one to save myself. I have one friend who has "the gift" and produces an absolutely magical martini. Beats me how he does it - I've stood next to him and copied what he does precisely but our cocktails taste wildy different. I think he's in league with the devil.
That's definitely something I want to explore more - cocktails with gin. I generally stay away from them as people make them way too sweet in bars.