The Bitter Truth Pinkgin Spiced Navy Flavored Gin
Very pale salmon color, crystal clear. The nose is very floral and fruity with waves of juniper and citrus and subtle notes of licorice. The palate is quite different than the nose as it delivers a bitter, pithy citrus core with tannic spice accents that fade on a thin finish. Medium-bodied and lacking a pleasing texture found in many Gins while highlighting citrus pith. We are not sure what they were aiming for in this Gin but we can't imagine that they hit the mark. $39.99 – 2.5 Stars
G'Vine Floraison Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are very floral with a hint of citrus and a Genever-like sweetness with hints of fenugreek, green cardamon, and gooseberry. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet, fruit driven core with green spices, lime zest, and ginger. This is a soft and gentle Gin that may be too soft and gentle for some hardcore Gin lovers. It is undeniably balanced with great length and depth. $35.99 – 3 Stars
Boone Co. Jail Distillery Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wildly expressive with fresh juniper in the lead followed by vibrant and earthy botanicals that are lifted with accents of citrus and ginger. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush but vibrant core with galangal (similar to ginger) and citrus with earthy angelica root and delicate brown spice and pepper accents rising on the finish. Full-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity and lively botanicals. An undisputed Best Buy. 4.5 Stars
Fords Officers' Reserve Overproof London Dry Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear with a very pale straw hue. The aromatics of this Navy Strength Gin offers juniper, coriander, and citrus in equal measure with accents of brown spice and dried flowers in support. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and oily center palate with bold bursts of juniper, orange, grapefruit, and sweet herbal and spice notes dominate the core that becomes increasingly drier on the finish with vibrant citrus zest accents. Full-bodied with ideal balance and a texture, which is no small feat considering its considerable strength (54.5 abv). The Fords Officer's Reserve does not disappoint as it displays the same complexity and style of the original with a bold proof and subtle Sherry cask highlights. $34.99 – 5 Stars
Silent Pool Gin
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly aromatic with waves of bright juniper supported by generous notes of dried flowers and citrus with a subtle sweet honey accent. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense and nearly chewy juniper-forward spirit with an impossibly complex mélange of spices in support finishing dry with a faint earthy tone. Full-bodied with gusto to spare being both assertive and elegant while ultimately finishing dry. Made with an intriguing four-stage process that utilizes 24 botanicals. An unforgettable Gin with great versatility. $59.99 – 4.5 Stars
McQueen and the Violet Fog Gin
Brilliant crystal clear. The nose is quite alluring offering generous scents of wild flowers, candied lemon peel, and anise with supporting note of evergreens, pepper, and citrus. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex and spicy citrus-driven core that is redolent of orange and lime with accents of juniper, pepper, and tropical flowers. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance offering rich fruit notes with generous acidity and spice to foil to lush core. Made in Brazil – yes Brazil! The sugarcane based spirit is infused with 21 botanicals including six that are apparently not found in any other Gin. Hedonistic and delicious. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Ransom Dry Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly aromatic with the scents of juniper and fresh wild berries leaping from the glass on a sea of rich, malty spirit. Accents of citrus, hops, and coriander offer generous support. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and dense malt spirit core with citrus and seed tannins on the mid palate giving way to lighter, more floral botanicals on the finish. Full-bodied and quite intense as the sweet aromatic nose leads to a dry and chewy core with botanicals galore. Stylistically this Gin is in a camp of its own possessing the sweet malt core of a Genever with the assertive botanicals portioned in the mold of a craft Beer IPA. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Ransom Old Tom Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, pale copper color. The nose is wonderfully rich and seductive with a blast of sweet pine and juniper filling the nose supported by orange peel, angelica, cardamon, and citrus. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and lush core of semisweet spirit with waves of juniper, citrus, and baking spices. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with the decadent spirit being supported by a generous dose of acidity making it a pleasure to sip while the fine balance of botanicals offer intrigue. This is a superb Old Tom style with that offers countless cocktail possibilities while being a pure joy to sip neat. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Grand Traverse Distillery Barrel Finished Peninsula Gin
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant very pale straw/copper color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of citrus peel, grains of paradise, juniper, and brown baking spices accentuated by the subtle barrel accents. The palate echoes the nose delivering a spicy core with waves of citrus, cooking spices, and baking spices as well as they are fortified by the barrel. Secondary herbal and minty flavors are also present and likely created by the marriage of seasoned barrels and bold botanicals. Full-bodied with bold flavors and ideally balanced with a fresh dose of acidity. Too many barrel aged Gins suffer from subtractions in flavor and complexity due to the addition of wood. This lovely example ideally balances barrel and botanicals to create a very unique spirit. $42 – 4 Stars
Brockmans Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose reveals a berry explosion with ripe, sweet berries mingling with juniper and orange peel with brown baking spices and a bright citrus accent. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense but vibrant berry driven core with waves of citrus coming in after the mid-palate and hints of mineral on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a bold, fruity core and a vibrant texture. Gin is surely the most polarizing of all spirits. This Gin is ultra fruity with a well-defined berry impression on the nose and palate. $34.99 – 4 Stars
