Gin 2013
 


Best Gin - 2013

 

The Fifty Best Gin Tasting

 

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:

 

Corsair Barrel Aged

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
Double Gold medal



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
Double Gold medal



Greenhook Ginsmiths


Tanqueray No. TEN



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
Double Gold medal



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
Double Gold medal



Martin Miller's Gin


Caorunn



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. Palate: 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
Double Gold medal



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
Double Gold medal



HDC Soft Gin


Death's Door Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Jodhpur Gin


Bloom Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Golden Moon Gin


Oxley Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Roundhouse Imperial Barrel Aged Gin


Vivacity Spirits Native Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Spring 44 Gin


Wheeler's Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Crater Lake Gin


Tanqueray London Dry Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Corsair Artisan Gin


Half Moon Gin

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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Pinckney Bend Gin


Roundhouse Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Tanqueray Rangpur Gin


Magellan Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Gold medal



Martin Miller's Westbourne Gin


Battistella Gin



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
Gold medal



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
Silver medal



Curious Gin


Quimby & Jack's Gin



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
Silver medal



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
Silver medal



Fifty Pounds Gin


Monopolowa Gin



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
Silver medal



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
Silver medal



Anselmo Gin


Cardinal Gin



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
Silver medal



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
Silver medal



Vivacity Banker's Gin


Sacred Gin



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
Silver medal



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
Silver medal



Counter


Ebb+Flow Gin



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
Silver medal



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
Silver medal



Juniper Green Gin

 

 

 

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