Gin 2014
 


Best Gin 2014

The Fifty Best Gin Tasting 2014

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 44 gins with 19 pre-qualified judges. The gins were judged and scored separately. 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 slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through six flights of 7 gins and one flight of 3 gins. There was a food break after the third flight.

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 for 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:

 

Old English Pot Still Gin

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Old English Pot Still
(England)

Nose: Subtle rose petal, slight lavender, juniper, pine. herbal, almond, watermelon, lime.
Palate: Rich plum, prune, dried peaches, dates, raisins, rosewater, soft floral, vanilla, cane sugar, creamy almond elements, clove.
Finish: Citrus, lemon, vanilla cream, clean, short.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Roundhouse Imperial Barrel Aged
(Colorado, U.S.)

Nose: Mango, pineapple, orange peel, dried flowers, herbal, cinnamon, molasses, cinnamon, spice cake, toasted malt, new wood.
Palate: Mango, peaches, dried peaches, apricot, lemon peel, vanilla, almond, Graham cracker, treacle, chocolate, honey, caramel, rose, herbs, intense spice, cinnamon, allspice, oak, silky.
Finish: Toasty, nutty, creamy vanilla bean, raisins, orange pekoe, herb, pepper, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Roundhouse Imperial Barrel Aged Gin


Royal Dock Navy Strength Gin



Royal Dock Navy Strength
(England)

Nose: Juniper, lime, lime peel, lime soufflé, lemon peel, tangerine, herbal, floral, pine cone.
Palate: Juniper berry, lemon grass, lemon curd, orange peel, peach, dried cherries, pine, pink peppercorn, pepper, spice, sweetness, menthol.
Finish: Pistachio oil, cinnamon, sweet spice, eucalyptus, pepper, bark, medium.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Copperworks
(Seattle, U.S.)

Nose: Herbs, anise, slight hint of pine, juniper note, light orange peel, lemon marmalade, citrus, dried cherry, spice cake.
Palate: Pine, rosewater, rose petals, lavender, juniper, peppercorn, cracked pepper, citrus, lemon peel, lime, lemon grass, bark, bright.
Finish: Citrus, fresh violet, spicy, peppery, tannic notes, bright, clean, medium.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Copperworks Gin


Half Moon Gin



Half Moon
(New York, U.S.)

Nose: Lemon, lime peel, lemon cream, honey, cassis, juniper, violet, rose, sandalwood, conifer.
Palate: Butter cream, crème brûlée, molasses notes, toffee, coconut, big citrus, lemon, lime, verbena, slight juniper, dried flowers, violets, herbal, mint, pine, cinnamon, peppercorn, spice, complex layers.
Finish: Orange peel, vanilla bean, violet, black licorice, creamy, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Fifty Pounds
(England)

Nose: Lemon grass, lemon, lime, lime peel, orange peel, juniper, honey, vanilla.
Palate: Pine needles, menthol, grassy herb, anise, citrusy, lemon peel, juniper, spicy, pepper.
Finish: Minty, juniper, herbaceous, sweet citrus, sweet spice, pepper, bright, clean, short.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Fifty Pounds Gin


Cold River Traditional Gin



Cold River Traditional
(Maine, U.S.)

Nose: Earl Grey tea, floral, dried flowers, juniper, lemon peel, subtle sweetness, wood notes.
Palate: Mango, orange peel, lime peel, lemon peel, juniper, lavender, subtle spice, black pepper, clove, resin, mint, menthol.
Finish: Cinnamon, creamy, brown spice, peppery, winter mint, grassy herbal notes, clean, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Liberator

(Michigan, U.S.)

Nose: Floral juniper, orange, clove, anise, Asian spice, valerian root, floral hops.
Palate: Rose petal, rosewater, violet, bright orange, cracked juniper berry, echinacea, jasmine, herbal, lemongrass, eucalyptus, grassy, anise, licorice, Asian spice, pink peppercorn, pepper, spice.
Finish: Rose petals, winter mint, eucalyptus, ginger, pepper, wood notes, short.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Liberator Gin


TOPO Piedmont Organic Gin



TOPO Piedmont Organic
(North Carolina)

Nose: Cherry, lemon peel, lemon, banana, rosewater, lavender, herbal, perfume-like, woody.
Palate: Pineapple, mango, apricot, cherry, figs, dates, orange notes, lemon custard, lemon verbena, lavender, floral, anise, mint, grassy, pine, evergreen, wood notes.
Finish: Peppercorn, pistachio oil, eucalyptus, resin, clean, soft, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Hacienda
(New Mexico)

Nose: Lime/lemon, lime peel, orange peel, Fresca soda, rose, lavender, sweet spices, allspice.
Palate: Lime, lemon, lemon peel, lemon curd, orange peel, dried apricots, rose petal, star anise, coriander, allspice, baking spices, cinnamon, pepper, spice, dark brown spice, pine, mint, menthol, chocolate, bold.
Finish: Brown spice, clove, herb, floral, amazing, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Hacienda Gin


Martin Miller's 80 Proof Gin



Martin Miller's 80 Proof
(England)

Nose: Citrusy, lemon peel, subtle orange, hint of cherry, cucumber, licorice, light.
Palate: Orange peel, tangerine, lemon grass, faint citrus, cherry, hint of plum, fig, caramel, rose blossoms, peppercorn.
Finish: Saffron, creamy vanilla, pine, clean, dry, smooth, fades.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Hayman's Old Tom
(England)

Nose: Honeysuckle, juniper notes, lemon/lime peel, subtle chocolate mint, cinnamon bark, wood, bark.
Palate: Cinnamon, mint, honey, caramel, vanilla, creamy vanilla, citrus, herbal tea, pine.
Finish: Sweet corn, honey, fresh violets, clean, smooth, pleasant, medium.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Hayman's Old Tom Gin


Liberator Old Tom Gin



Liberator Old Tom
(Michigan, U.S.)

Nose: Cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, Graham cracker, grain, cardamom, smoky, peaty, spicy, woody, oaky.
Palate: Vanilla, honey, honeycomb, orange peel, lime, lemon verbena, gingerbread, black licorice, anise, clove, herbal, peppery spice, bay spice, grain, woody, complex.
Finish: Cloves, sweet spice, dried citrus, fruit, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength -
(England)

Nose: Candied lemon peel, lemon peel, citrus, vanilla frosting, cinnamon, spearmint.
Palate: Burnt orange peel, lemon, citrus, lemongrass, pineapple, clove, anise, grassy, mint, intense spice, coffee note.
Finish: Sweet citrus, creamy vanilla bean, floral, eucalyptus, medium.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin


Hendrick's Gin



Hendrick's
(Scotland)

Nose: Lavender, rose, citrus, winter mint, clean. Palate: Verbena, lemon, orange, violets, rosewater, anise, peppery, spice, mossy.
Finish: Spice, flowers, fresh violet, lingering.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Greenhook Ginsmiths
(New York, U.S.)

Nose: Spearmint, tangerine peel, lime, lemon, lemon peel, angelica root, herbal, juniper, coriander, sweet spices.
Palate: Lime peel, slight lemon, tangerine, juniper, rose, violets, herbal, coriander, eucalyptus, grassy, pepper, pink peppercorns, crisp.
Finish: Spice, spearmint, winter mint, citrus, herbal, vibrant, complex, fresh, short.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Greenhook Ginsmiths


Corsair Artisan Gin



Corsair Artisan
(Tennessee, U.S.)

Nose: Wheat, vanilla, honey, herbal, lemon peel, green papaya, cucumber, lavender, jasmine, cinnamon.
Palate: Herbs, eucalyptus, mint, tea leaves, grassy herbs, juniper, lavender, allspice, baking spice, pine, honey, black licorice, lemon, lemon zest, citrus, cashew.
Finish: Black licorice, sweet citrus, grassy, herbal, medium.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Fenimore
(New York, U.S.)

Nose: Spearmint, lemon, orange blossom, vanilla, fresh herbs, pine needles, tree gum, black licorice, almond bark, woody.
Palate: Apricot, peach, hint of plum, lemon curd, lemon peel, light orange peel, orange blossom, dates, walnuts, peppercorn, subtle spice, cracked juniper berry, coriander, violet, herbal, anise, mint, tea, pine resin.
Finish: Soft citrus, rose sorbet, herbal, resin, silky, balanced, medium.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Fenimore Gin


Uncle Val's Botanical Gin



Uncle Val's Botanical
(California, U.S.)

Nose: Vanilla cream, floral lemon, lemon peel, lime, lime soufflé, orange, tangerine.
Palate: Tangerine, citrus, orange peel, orange, tangerine peel, lemon peel, sweet lemon curd, lemongrass, verbena, dried flowers, anise.
Finish: Citrus, orange, sweet citrus, lemon tea, dried flowers, mint, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Sipsmith London Dry
(England)

Nose: Mixed berries, rosewater, banana, Earl Grey tea, lemongrass.
Palate: Vanilla, vanilla custard, creamy, molasses, dried fruit, apricot, lemon, lemongrass, bergamot, violets, coriander, pepper.
Finish: Cinnamon, raisins, spicy, peppery spice, woody, medium.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Sipsmith London Dry Gin


Geranium London Dry Gin

Geranium London Dry
(England)

Nose: Lemon, lemon cream, lime, floral, hint of pine, woodsy.
Palate: Melon, honeydew, lemon, lemon peel, light citrus oil, honeysuckle, jasmine, rose, grassy, peppercorns, spice.
Finish: Sweet citrus, fresh violet, bright, balanced, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



No. 209
(California, U.S.)

Nose: Citrus, dates, almonds, herbaceous, juniper, cinnamon bark, slight pine, woodsy note.
Palate: Mint, menthol, grassy, herbal notes, juniper, coriander seed, citrus, lemon peel, lemon, lemon custard, lemongrass, dried fruit, butter cream, grain, peppery, bright.
Finish: Tart apples, dried citrus, sweet citrus, floral, pepper, creamy, bright, balanced, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



No. 209 Gin


Roundhouse Gin



Roundhouse
(Colorado, U.S.)

Nose: Bright citrus, lemon peel, lime peel, cucumber, floral, dill, eucalyptus, honey, almond bark.
Palate: Honey, vanilla, assertive lime, citrus, juniper, cracked juniper berries, herbal, herbaceous, rooty, eucalyptus, mint, pine, white pepper, spice.
Finish: Peppery, herbs, sweet spices, resin, smooth, lingering.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Oryza
(Louisiana, U.S.)

Nose: Honey, vanilla, lemon peel, orange peel, orange blossom, citrus, juniper, spice cake, honeysuckle, lavender, nutmeg, bran, black pepper.
Palate: Vanilla, butter cream, orange, peel, lemon curd, faint juniper, herbal, almond, toasted cashew, subtle pepper, peppercorn, clove, menthol, silky.
Finish: Vanilla bean, juniper, sweet citrus, herb, cinnamon, peppery, lingering.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Oryza Gin


Whyte Laydie Gin



Whyte Laydie
(Montana, U.S.)

Nose: Lemon grass, lime peel, dried cherry, violets, sourdough, pastry dough, honey, old bark.
Palate: Dried fruit, cherry, juniper berry, chocolate, toffee, rosewater, herbal, sandalwood, sourdough, toast.
Finish: Sweet spice, dried fruit, flowers, pastry, very fresh, smooth, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Aria Portland Dry
(Oregon, U.S.)

Nose: Subtle rose petal, slight lavender, juniper, pine. herbal, almond, watermelon, lime.
Palate: Rich plum, prune, dried peaches, dates, raisins, rosewater, soft floral, vanilla, cane sugar, creamy almond elements, clove.
Finish: Citrus, lemon, vanilla cream, clean, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Aria Portland Dry Gin


CH London Dry Gin



CH London Dry
(Illinois, U.S.)

Nose: Juniper, honeydew, herbs, sweet spices, woodruff, earthy.
Palate: Honeydew, melon, orange peel, lemon, rose petal, raisins, dried fruit, clove, coriander, baking spices.
Finish: Clean citrus notes, jack fruit, dried fruit, floral, medium.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Opihr London Dry
(England)

Nose: Juniper, lemon peel, cinnamon, herbal, eucalyptus, pine, spicy.
Palate: Lemongrass, lemon custard, sweet floral elements, dried flowers, vegetal, Thai basil, curry, cardamom, cumin, allspice, pine.
Finish: Dried violet, rose, vanilla bean, pink peppercorn, slight spice, medium.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Opihr London Dry Gin


G'Vine Nouaison Gin



G'Vine Nouaison
(France)

Nose: Lavender, lemon peel, lemon/lime, floral, lilac notes, angelica root, juniper, cumin.
Palate: Crème brûlée, coconut creme, banana pudding, lemon, sweet tea, herbal, juniper, grassy, pine, cracked pepper, peppery spice.
Finish: Hot pepper, coriander, sweet spice, fruit, dry, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Greenall's
(England)

Nose: Juniper, slight citrus, floral, fresh herbs, honey, peppery, woody notes.
Palate: Rosewater, rose blossoms, mango, raisin, black licorice, grassy, herbs, ginger root, nutmeg.
Finish: Subtle juniper, violet, lemon peel, winter mint, creamy, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Greenall's Gin


Caorunn Gin



Caorunn
(Scotland)

Nose: Mixed berries, rosewater, Earl Grey tea, lemongrass.
Palate: Vanilla, vanilla custard, creamy, molasses, dried fruit, apricot, lemon, lemongrass, bergamot, violets, coriander, pepper.
Finish: Cinnamon, raisins, spicy, peppery spice, woody, medium.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Monopolowa
(Austria)

Nose: Lemon, lime, juniper, floral, Earl Grey tea, dried cherry, slight talcum, spice.
Palate: Rose, rose petals, juniper, orange peel, dried fruit, dried peaches, toffee, custard, cocoa, milk chocolate, herbal, peppermint.
Finish: Juniper, dried citrus, bergamot, sweet spice, brown spices, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Monopolowa Gin



Wheeler's
(New Mexico)

Nose: Floral, juniper, lemon peel, tangerine, myrtle, rosemary, anise, woodruff, pepper, tree bark.
Palate: Cracked juniper berry, spicy orange peel, lemon verbena, lemongrass, fruity, blueberry, black licorice, grassy, herbal, peppermint, grassy, evergreen, dry.
Finish: Lemon, citrus, fresh violet, herb, mint, eucalyptus, bright, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Wheeler's Gin


Warwick Gin



Warwick
(New York, U.S.)

Nose: Herbal, juniper, lavender, violets, floral, honey, lime, green apple, cucumber, pine, wood barrel.
Palate: Lemon grass, sweet spearmint, herbal, floral, berries, pear, Granny Smith apple, slight cucumber, grassy, pine, evergreen.
Finish: Flavorful, black pepper, sweet spice, juniper, balanced, short.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:

Cricket Club
(Oregon, U.S.)

Nose: Bright citrus, lemon, key line, tangerine, watermelon, coriander.
Palate: Mango, orange peel, peaches, apricot, creamy fruit, lemon curd, lemon, vanilla, tonic water, slightly woodsy.
Finish: Lemon, lemon zest, lime, citrus, fruit, lingering.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Cricket Club Gin


Colorado Gold's Premium Gin



Colorado Gold's Premium
(Colorado, U.S.)

Nose: Lemon peel, lime, almond, figs, eucalyptus, cucumber, agave, floral juniper, herbal, buttery, pastry, honeycomb, honey.
Palate: Vanilla bean, pastry frosting, custard, lemon peel, lemon verbena, pear, cucumber, dates, raisins, dried flowers, herbal.
Finish: Custard, creamy vanilla bean, raisin, brown spices, herbal, bright, short.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Black Button Citrus Forward
(New York, U.S.)

Nose: Crème brûlée, coconut, dates, orange blossom honey, floral, rose, gingersnap, green tea, sour dough, grain.
Palate: Grassy, anise, mint, eucalyptus, dried flowers, floral, rose, tree bark, raisins, dates, currants, honey, grain, peppery.
Finish: Floral, cucumber, sweet, peppery, clean.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Black Button Citrus Forward Gin


G'Vine Floraison Gin



G'Vine Floraison
(France)

Nose: Tangerine, subtle lime peel, lemon cream, dried cherry, sweet berry, lavender, spearmint.
Palate: Violet, rose, grassy herbs, lemongrass, orange, citrus, spearmint, cinnamon, cane sugar, light sweetness.
Finish: Subtle citrus, dried citrus, floral, peppery, clean, balanced, short.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Copper Fox VirGin
(Virginia, U.S.)

Nose: Chocolate mint, cocoa, butterscotch, caramel, Earl Grey tea, green tea, herbal, quince, tree bark.
Palate: Peppermint, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, sweet cane, rose, grassy herbs, pine, pepper.
Finish: Cardamom, cinnamon, sweet, mineral, short.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Copper Fox VirGin


Two James Old Cockney Gin



Two James Old Cockney
(Michigan, U.S.)

Nose: Butter cream, lemon, slight watermelon, herbal, juniper, peppercorn, grain, almond bark, woody.
Palate: Cracked juniper, dried peaches, tropical fruit, candied fruit, vanilla pastry frosting, lemon, verbena, lemongrass, grassy herbs, violets, anise, mint, peppercorn.
Finish: Juniper, peppercorn, butter cream, soft subtle mint, medium.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bainbridge Heritage Organic Dougas Fir
(Washington, U.S.)

Nose: Cucumber, lemon peel, banana, dried cherry, floral notes, angelica root, eucalyptus, honey, butterscotch, caramel, white pepper.
Palate: Pine, mint, floral, black licorice, slight citrus, cumin, spicy.
Finish: Wintermint, pine, pepper, dried violet, spicy, short.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bainbridge Heritage Organic Dougas Fir Gin


F.E.W. American Gin



F.E.W. American
(Illinois, U.S.)

Nose: Cranberry, plum, toffee, ginger root, clove, peppery, mezcal-like.
Palate: Eucalyptus, mint, herbal, honey, toffee, black licorice, peppery.
Finish: Raisin, dried fruits, herb, eucalyptus, cedar, short.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Flight 69
(California, U.S.)

Nose: Grape, white grape, grape seed, peach, lemon/lime, lemon cream, crisp.
Palate: Pineapple, citrus, dried peaches, fruity, coconut, vanilla, creamy, peppery, jalapeño.
Finish: Floral, herbal, green fruit, short.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Fight 69 Gin


Corsair Steampunk



Corsair Steampunk
(Tennesee, U.S.)

Nose: Dill, grassy, mossy, agave, jalapeño, pepper, mustard, raisin, dates, hickory.
Palate: Floral notes, dried fruit, almond, dill, toasty, subtle smoked sausage, smoky, mesquite, oak, silky, robust, great complexity.
Finish: Spicy, cinnamon, nutty, floral, mezcal profile, smoky, medium.

Silver Medal
Silver medal

 

 

 

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