I've had quite a few people suggest that I try the Collective Arts gin, so when I saw a pop-up bottle shop nearby, my curiosity got the best of me and I left with their Plum & Blackthorn (+15 botanicals) gin. I have a hard time walking away from strikingly-hued gins too, so it was a done deal. The nose delivers a beautiful bouquet of balanced, unconventional aromatics, wrapped together with a slightly plummy base. With such a complex mix of spices, where spirit flavours could go sideways, this one hits the mark. Its spicy mouthfeel is like a good masala chai which brings a unique, yet comforting warmth for a gin. Despite a slight heat, this gin is incredibly smooth. Extra points for the striking bottle art and lavender colour. Looking forward to trying their other gins. 8.5/10