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Gin
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Best Gin
The actual origins of Gin can be traced to 17th century Holland. When, in 1650, a doctor mixed oil of Juniper berries with grain alcohol, calling it "genever", from the French word for Juniper.
At about the same time, English soldiers who were fighting on the continent were introduced to the spirit. When the soldiers with a preference for this drink returned to England, soon the rest of the population grew fond of the new spirit. Eventually it became identified as the national drink of England. It was the English that shortened the name to "Gin".
Gin was also quite popular with the English Foreign Service in the "colonies". It mixed naturally with quinine (tonic water) which helped to lessen the effects of Malaria. Even today it's easy to conjure up an image of British Colonial foreign officers sipping Gin and Tonics in the Officers’ Club.
The origins of the “dry Gin” that London distillers eventually developed is very different from the Geneva Gin still made by the Dutch, which is heavier in body and stronger flavored. London Dry Gin appeared when the continuous still was invented in the early 1800’s, making a purer spirit possible. Originally, the phrase "London dry Gin" specified a geographic location; that the Gin was made in or near London. Now, the term is considered to be generic and is used to describe a style of Gin. In fact, there is only one brand of Gin currently being distilled in London.
Gin is made from a 75% corn grain mash, distilled with various flavoring agents. It gets its primary flavor from Juniper berries, but many other herbs and spices go into the make-up. The botanicals come from all over the world: Cardamom from India, Cassia bark from China, Orange peel from Spain, Coriander seed from Russia, Angelica root from Iceland, and Juniper berries from Belgium. There are also dozens of other possible ingredients. Each distiller has his own secret formula and no two Gin brands are exactly alike. By law, Gin is fermented and distilled, but never aged.
The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 36 gins with 17 pre-qualified judges. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the gins were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at room temperature. Only ice water, unflavored rice crackers and bar snacks were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through three flights of seven gins each, had a break for food, then tasted through two more flights of seven gins each plus one at the end.
The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold, and Silver medals are awarded based on a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded in this tasting.
The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The countries and states of origin are identified for each brand.
GIN TASTING RESULTS:
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DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
Corsair Barrel Aged
(Kentucky, U.S.)
Nose: Vanilla, buttery, butterscotch, candy apple, spiced rum cake, dates, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, pine, wood barrel. Palate: Egg nog, caramel, butter, creamy, charred demerara, baking spices, sweet spice, clove, dried citrus, wood elements. Finish: Creamy, butter, lemony, cloves, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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Greenhook Ginsmiths
(New York, U.S.)
Nose: Juniper, lavender, dried violet, nice citrus, spearmint. Palate: Juniper, lemon, citrus zest, creamy vanilla, warm pepper, herbal, grassy, pine. Finish: Juniper, spicy, peppery, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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Tanqueray No. TEN
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Berry, dried fruit, citrus, cola notes, anise, light. Palate: Berry, peach, stone fruits, mango custard, creamy, orange blossom honey, juniper, mint, clove, spicy. Finish: Citrus, spicy, peppery, pleasant.
Double Gold Medal
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Martin Miller's
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Tangerine, lime soufflé, fresh lemon, floral, juniper. Palate: Lemon, lemon zest, Sprite, citrus, dried peaches, watermelon, juniper, buttery, coriander. Finish: Vanilla, lemon curd, violet, juniper, rose, very smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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Caorunn
(Scotland, U.K.)
Nose: Rosemary, light juniper, anise, cloves, white pepper, black peppercorn, buttery, custard, creamy vanilla, dried stone fruits, citrus, rich, well-balanced. Finish: Brown spice, dried flowers, pistachio oil, eucalyptus, soft, smooth, even, lingering.
Double Gold Medal
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HDC Soft
(Washington, U.S.)
Nose: Pine, juniper, fruity, lemon peel, citrus, dates, pastry, cola, cinnamon, sandalwood, spice, mint, light. Palate: Peach, mango, lemony, lime peel, orange zest, lemon curd, honeysuckle, vanilla, honey, black licorice, anise, clove, sweet, smooth. Finish: Vanilla, cinnamon, saffron, more juniper, wood notes, even, soft, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
Death's Door
(Wisconsin, U.S.)
Nose: Lemon, marmalade, citrus pith, fruity, juniper, cola. Palate: Juniper, lemon, citrus, flower blossom, violet, spearmint, pine, anise, black pepper, spicy. Finish: Juniper, mint, cloves, lively, pleasant, long.
Gold Medal
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Jodhpur
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Lavender, eucalyptus, pine, slight cucumber, subdued. Palate: Dried peaches, citrus zest, lemon, vanilla, caramel, juniper, herbs, dried flowers, dried herbs, grassy, peppercorn, white pepper, hot, spicy. Finish: Peppery, spice, vanilla bean, grains, herbal, clean.
Gold Medal
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Bloom
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Citrus, juniper berry, violet, tame. Palate: Rose, floral, herbal, dried peaches, lemon, juniper berry, mint, pine, licorice, sandalwood, soft spices, pepper, mineral, even, classic. Finish: Saffron, creamy vanilla, pine, clean, dry, smooth, fades.
Gold Medal
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Golden Moon
(Colorado, U.S.)
Nose: Mint, juniper, lavender, eucalyptus, baking spice, pepper, spicy. Palate: Juniper, rose, lavender, violet, mint-chocolate, wintermint, coriander, cardamom, spice, pepper, pine. Finish: Vanilla, even, balanced, fun.
Gold Medal
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Oxley
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Juniper berry, sweet cream, dark spices, rosemary, citrus, pine, herbal, pepper, rich, crisp, clean, balanced, classic. Palate: Juniper berry, sweet cream, dark spices, rosemary, citrus, pine, herbal, pepper, rich, crisp, clean, balanced, classic. Finish: Vanilla bean, rose, lemon, smooth, dry, even.
Gold Medal
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Roundhouse Imperial Barrel Aged -
(Colorado, U.S.)
Nose: Vanilla creme, butter, caramel, spice cake, maple, herbs, almond bark, dry Oloroso barrel, peppercorn. Palate: Butter, violet, cherry, burnt sugar, black licorice, flowers, herbal, mint, pepper, woody, aged wood, spicy. Finish: Juniper, cherry, spice cake, talc, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Vivacity Spirits Native
(Oregon)
Nose: Lavender, rose, citrus, winter mint, clean. Palate: Juniper, citrus, lemon, lemon verbena, lime, herbs, mild spice, pepper, pink peppercorn, pine, resin, grassy. Finish: Floral, mint, talc, crisp, clean.
Gold Medal
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Spring 44
(Colorado, U.S.)
Nose: Juniper, lemon, Kaffir lime, orange, vanilla, floral, cucumber, maritime, delicate. Palate: Sweet berry, lemon, creamy, strong juniper, sweet spice, spicy, peppery, herbal, pine. Finish: Coriander, creamy, sweet, spice.
Gold Medal
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Wheeler's
(New Mexico, U.S.)
Nose: Cardamom, spice, herbal, menthol, wintergreen, lime. Palate: Lemon, creamy vanilla, orange blossom, flowers, juniper, menthol, pine, spicy. Finish: Mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, peppery, mineral, very smooth, fresh, clean.
Gold Medal
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Crater Lake
(Oregon, U.S.)
Nose: Juniper, honey, herbal, spice, clove. Palate: Raisins, sun dried fruit, sweet cake, creamy, flowers, anise, mineral, pepper. Finish: Creamy vanilla, lemon, cloves, peppercorn, light pine, smooth, easy.
Gold Medal
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Tanqueray London Dry
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Light, beautiful, herbal, floral, juniper, cucumber, lemon peel, citrus tones. Palate: Lemon cream, lemon, cracked juniper berry, strong juniper, sugar, lavender, floral, cucumber, anise, peppercorn, spicy, medicinal. Finish: Wintermint, rich anise, cinnamon, floral, smooth, spicy, hot, dry, long.
Gold Medal
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Corsair Artisan
(Kentucky, U.S.)
Nose: Floral, juniper, orange, lemon, rose, herbal, spice, light. Palate: Sweet citrus, tangerine, orange marmalade, sweet berries, juniper, lavender, coriander, dark spices, spearmint, savage pepper. Finish: Violet, floral, juniper, citrus, lemon zest, grassy, herbal, spicy, clean, fresh, long.
Gold Medal
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Half Moon
(New York, U.S.)
Nose: Mint, citrus, lime, lemon, orange, dried black cherry, juniper, coriander, cumin, turmeric, white pepper, spice, herbal. Palate: Juniper, rose, pink peppercorn, tea leaves, cardamom, herbal, lemon verbena, mint, pine, anise, green, vegetal, jalapeño, mustard, hot, spicy. Finish: Wintermint, peppery, saffron, surprisingly smooth, lively.
Gold Medal
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Pinckney Bend
(Missouri, U.S.)
Nose: Subdued lime, cucumber, juniper, mint, wintermint, spice cake. Palate: Dried peaches, sweet lime, lemon custard, juniper, rosewater, violet, pine, anise, eucalyptus, clove, spicy. Finish: Juniper, sandalwood, spicy, peppery, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Roundhouse
(Colorado, U.S.)
Nose: Dried cherry, fruity, sweet berry, tangerine, flowers, slight juniper, mint, clove, coriander, cardamom, tree sap, subtle. Palate: Anise, spices, white pepper, coriander, cardamom, allspice, sandalwood, nutmeg, eucalyptus, pine, violet, rose blossoms, dried fruit, melon, blood orange, lively. Finish: Eucalyptus, dried violet, hot, spicy, peppery.
Gold Medal
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Tanqueray Rangpur
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Fresh herbs, floral, lime, orange blossom, tangerine, fresh citrus, fruit loops, mint. Palate: Fizzy lemon soda, lemon verbena, fruit loops, pastry frosting, floral, blossoms, juniper, anise, eucalyptus. Finish: Vanilla, citrus, herbal, mint, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Magellan
(France)
Nose: Citrus, honey, root, juniper, soft spearmint, herbal. Palate: Dried peaches, sweet berries, lemon, tropical fruit, juniper, layers of flowers, custard, grain, pepper, anise, eucalyptus, mint, surprisingly dry. Finish: Peppercorn, black pepper, spice, wintermint, juniper.
Gold Medal
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Martin Miller's Westbourne
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Lavender, slight cola, juniper, violet, subtle, citrus, light. Palate: Juniper berry, lemon, lemon zest, lemon grass, citrus, orange blossom, peach, rose, lavender, cinnamon, sweet, spices, herbs, mint, pine resin, grassy, dry, balanced. Finish: Rose, dried violet, floral, strong pepper, pine, dry, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Battistella
(New York, U.S.)
Nose: Juniper, lemon curd, Earl Grey tea, mint, fennel, hops, vegetal, tree bark, pine. Palate: Lemongrass, citrus, orange blossom, juniper berry, creamy vanilla, butterscotch, light mint, black licorice, anise. Finish: Wintermint, juniper, violet, light spice, sweet, neutral, clinging.
Gold Medal
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SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:
Curious
(New York, U.S.)
Nose: Juniper, dates, fruit gum, mango, citrus, floral. Palate: Baking spice, pistachio oil, violet, saffron, clove, anise, mint, pine, pink peppercorn, peppery. Finish: Dried fruit, flowers, chalk, peppery, spicy, clean, fresh, balanced.
Silver Medal
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Quimby and Jack's
(Washington, U.S.)
Nose: Juniper, lemon curd, Earl Grey tea, mint, fennel, hops, vegetal, tree bark, pine. Palate: Lemongrass, citrus, orange blossom, juniper berry, creamy vanilla, butterscotch, light mint, black licorice, anise. Finish: Wintermint, juniper, violet, light spice, sweet, neutral, clinging.
Silver Medal
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Fifty Pounds
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Juniper, citrus, orange peel, coriander. Palate: Lime, orange peel, vanilla, juniper, pistachio oil, cinnamon, clove, coriander, fresh spices, spicy, grassy, oak, menthol. Finish: Juniper, anise, pepper, spicy.
Silver Medal
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Monopolowa
(Austria)
Nose: Key lime pie, lime, lemon peel, herbal, pine, sweet. Palate: Lemon curd, lemon, citrus zest, blossoms, pepper, spicy, sweet, menthol, pine. Finish: Violet, floral, spicy, wet stone.
Silver Medal
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Anselmo
(Montana, U.S.)
Nose: Lemon/lime, tangerine, ginger, dates. Palate: Orange zest, fruit gum, floral notes, mint, clove, cardamom, curry, spice, wet stones. Finish: Citrus, cardamom, peppery, mineral, clean, crisp.
Silver Medal
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Cardinal
(North Carolina, U.S.)
Nose: Citrus, lime, nutmeg, floral, mint, talc. Palate: Juniper, citrus, banana, coriander, spicy, mint, hot pepper. Finish: Mint, spicy, fresh, clean, crisp.
Silver Medal
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Vivacity Banker's
(Oregon, U.S.)
Nose: Fresh juniper, citrus, spearmint, anise. Palate: Dried citrus, lemon meringue, custard, cucumber, eucalyptus, juniper, clove, allspice, spice, grass, pine. Finish: Wintermint, sweet vanilla, juniper, mineral, clean, fresh, long.
Silver Medal
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Sacred
(England, U.K.)
Nose: Floral, orange rind, citrus peel, subtle bark, very faint. Palate: Menthol, pine, peppery, peppercorn, citrus, sweet oranges, watermelon, cherry, cola, creamy vanilla, violet, tea leaves, smooth. Finish: Wood notes, cucumber, resin, wet stone, slow building, soft, spicy.
Silver Medal
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Counter
(Washington, U.S.)
Nose: Lime, lemon custard. Palate: Candied fruit, stone fruits, tropical fruit, mango, lemon curd, butter, black licorice, celery salt, talc, jalapeño pepper, spice. Finish: Floral, cucumber, sweet, peppery, clean.
Silver Medal
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Ebb+Flow
(Washington, U.S.)
Nose: Floral, wild flowers, fresh juniper, strong citrus, spice, pine, cucumber. Palate: Cracked juniper, baked citrus, lemon meringue, lime, anise, cloves, black pepper, coriander, wood notes, pine. Finish: Lime, coriander, peppery, spice, gentle.
Silver Medal
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Juniper Green
(Colorado, U.S.)
Nose: Fresh herbs, dried citrus, light cola, subtle rosewater, black licorice, pepper. Palate: Juniper, lime, buttery, honeycomb, biscuits, baking spices, rosewater, pine, talc, wet stone. Finish: Floral, herbs, grassy, spicy, smooth.
Silver Medal
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Disclaimer: This section of the website is intended for visitors 21 years of age and older.
If you are not of legal drinking age, please exit by clicking here.
Please drink responsibly!
Comments or questions welcome, please e-mail to: editor@thefiftybest.com
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Add a comment or suggestion to this list.
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Tue. May 14, 2013 4:07 AM - by: Marc Cobbaert
I would recomment to make an extra tasting only for genever, the spirit from Belgium, the Netherlands en North of France. These diserves to be seen as a categori on their own. Not so well know als gin, but their is a revival of jenever (genever) and its a real original spirit, pure and very varius. Greetings Marc Cobbaert