Gin Part 1
 

Best Gin

 

The Fifty Best Gin Tasting 2024


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 22 gins (Traditional/London Dry, modern/contemporary, botanical) with twelve members of our spirits judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. 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 wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states, countries of origin and alcohol proofs are identified for each brand. All gins were distilled from grain, except where indicated. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

 

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

End of Days Port of Entry Gin
(End of Days Distillery, NC)  82° prf

Nose: Lemon verbena, lemon custard pie, a bit of honey, Graham cracker, prickly pear, cherry, violet, floral, flowery, juniper, floral juniper, herbal juniper, Earl Grey tea, anise, celery salt, grassy, eucalyptus, light pine.
Palate: Lemon verbena, lemon curd, citrus, lemon pie with a Graham cracker crust, lime, honey, berry, rose water, honeysuckle, lavender, violet, yarrow, potpourri, floral, fresh flowers, floral juniper, carrot, herbs, lemongrass, grassy, pine, anise, black licorice, clove, spices, peppery spice, layered, off the standard, tasty.
Finish: Lemon/lime, citrus, honeycomb, honeysuckle, fresh violet, violet pastilles, rose, hibiscus, lavender, floral, licorice, lemongrass, eucalyptus, juniper, cereal, grain, sweet spices, spicy, pink peppercorn, peppery, well balanced, smooth, clean, crisp, tasty.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



End of Days Port of Entry Gin



Mallette Bros. Gin
(Red River Brewing & Distilling Co., NM)  80° prf

Nose: Lime, citrus, watermelon, orange blossom honey, austere juniper, herbal juniper, floral juniper, lavender, mint, eucalyptus, anise, pine, nutty, tree bark.
Palate: Squeeze of lemon, lemon verbena, grapefruit, orange peel, honey, carrot, tart berries, rose petals, lavender, violets, perfume, floral notes, Earl Grey tea, mint, grassy, celery seed, juniper, cracked juniper berry, piney juniper, pink peppercorn, black pepper, spicy, tasty.
Finish: Lemony, orange peel, citrus, dried citrus, melon, lavender, violets, floral, lingering botanicals, floral juniper, cracked juniper berries, vanilla bean, pistachio oil, Earl Grey tea, grassy, sweet spices, wet stone, funky.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Mallette Bros. Gin



Purity 34 Organic Craft Navy Strength Gin
(Sweden)  114.2° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, violet, botanic herbs, herbal, juniper, pine, fresh cut grass, rosemary, black olive, grain, hops, crackers, wet pavement. salt, sea water.
Palate: Lemon, citrus, juniper, violet Sen-Sen, mint, menthol, pine, carrot, fennel, celery seed, peppery spice, cereal, grain, IPA, saline, creamy.
Finish: Citrus, violet, floral, juniper, peppermint, fennel, spice, peppery, maritime, musty, mineral, limestone, balanced, heat, high proof, a great navy strength gin.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Purity 34 Organic Craft Navy Strength Gin



Fundy Gin
(Still Fired Distilleries, Nova Scotia, Canada)  80° prf

Nose: Orange peel, watermelon, grape juice, dried fruit, honeycomb, lavender, violets, juniper, floral juniper, piney juniper, herbs, green tea, lemongrass, grass, celery, anise, black peppercorn, dried leaves, wood.
Palate: Juniper, cracked juniper berry, piney juniper, honey, violet, dried violet, rose blossoms, dried flowers, peppermint tea, lemongrass, grassy herbs, citrus, watermelon seeds, celery, celery seed, anise, black licorice, coriander, baking spice, pepper, mineral.
Finish: Juniper, creamy vanilla bean, Juicy Fruit gum, violet, lingering lemongrass, sweet tea, green tea, mint, celery, chicory, coriander, soft black pepper, mineral oil, mineral, wet stone.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Fundy Gin



Rutte Dutch Dry Gin
( Rutte Distillery, The Netherlands)  Distilled with celery leaves.  86° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, lime, cucumber, lemongrass, violet, sandalwood, bran cereal, juniper, herbal juniper, piney juniper, cardamom, coriander.
Palate: Lemon peel, lemon verbena, lime, citrus, apricot, violets, flowers, lemongrass, juniper, piney juniper, cucumber, anise, black licorice, mint, menthol, wormwood, grain, coriander, baking spices, peppery spice, pink peppercorn, smoke, good classic profile.
Finish: Lemon, lime, bergamot, peel, citrus, floral, juniper, grassy herbs, coriander, white pepper, pink peppercorns, pistachio oil, resin, rich, full flavor, pleasant, classic, beautiful.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Rutte Dutch Dry Gin



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Tow Rope Gin
(Schenectady Distilling Co. NY)  90° prf

Nose: Dried cherry, raisins, currants, stone fruit, salty berries, citrus, honey, lemon cream, cucumber, cereal, Graham cracker, herbal, Earl Grey tea, anise, juniper, sweet juniper, floral juniper, floral, sandalwood, spice cake, cinnamon, allspice, clove, baking spices, earth, piney resin, very complex.
Palate: Lemon, lemon curd, dried apple & pear, apple juice, baked apple, mango, carrot, fruit gum, spice gum ball, hard candies, rose petals, violets, mixed floral, juniper, grain, celery seed, anise, mint, menthol, grassy, dried leaves, cinnamon, ci*nnamon Red Hots, cinnamon stick, apple pie spices, allspice, clove, baking spices, black pepper.
Finish: Clementine, sweet citrus, fresh fruit, fruit cup, mint, juniper, coffee, cinnamon, allspice, coriander, lingering spices, peppery spice, cracked pepper, red pepper, resin, rich.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Tow Rope Gin



Blue Clover Distillery Gin
(AZ)  86° prf

Nose:Lemon, lemon peel, lime, lime juice, orange peel, Danish pastry, lavender, licorice, juniper, herbal juniper, cucumber, fresh herbs, clove, sandalwood.
Palate: Orange, orange peel, orange zest, lemon verbena, kaffir leaves, violet, cucumber, carrot, celery, leaves, grassy, grassy herbs, anise, mint, eucalyptus, juniper, pink peppercorns, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, spice, pink pep*percorns, black pepper, soy sauce, salty, saline, mineral, clean, savory, tasty.
Finish: Lemon peel, lime skin, orange, mango, floral, violet, cucumber, celery, grassy, mint, menthol, black licorice, saffron, sweet spice, peppery, wet stone, fresh, clean, smooth, tasty.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Blue Clover Distillery Gin



52eighty American Small Batch Gin
(52eighty Distilling, CO)  87° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, lemon cream, burnt orange peel, dates, ripe fruit, banana, vanilla bean, toasted marshmallow, almond, almond bark, juniper, lavender, violet, rose water, sandalwood, anise, baking spices, salt, dried leaves, pine.
Palate: Juniper forward, lemon, lemon peel, lemon verbena, lime, citrus, marmalade, pastry frosting, honeysuckle, violets, rose, rose water, gardenia, mint, licorice, anise, celery, fennel, pine, hops, coriander, cocoa, coffee, cracked pepper, pink peppercorn, peppery spice, mineral, limestone, soft.
Finish: Lemon/lime peel, orange peel, green apple, fruit gum, rose petal, floral, eucalyptus, anise, sweet spice, spicy, pink peppercorn, black pepper, mineral, limestone, delicate, would make a nice martini.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



”52eighty



Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin
(London, England, UK)  90.4° prf

Nose: Lemon/lime, lemon custard, orange, tangerine, honeydew, green melon, cucumber, lemongrass, citrus blossoms, fresh juniper, sweet juniper, piney juniper, pine, clove, floral hops.
Palate: Lemon/lime, lemon zest, verbena, citrus, orange, peach, dried peach, honey, licorice, anise, fennel, celery seed, root vegetables, vegetal, juniper, cracked juniper, herbal juniper, lemongrass, grassy, dried flowers, baking spices, clove, pink peppercorn.
Finish: Lemon, rose sorbet, honey, violet, floral, juniper, lemongrass, sage, sweet spice, spicy, peppery, pink peppercorn, piney, earthy, layered, creamy, rich, pleasant, tasty, classic expression.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin



Petoskey Stone Botanical Gin
(Gypsy Spirits, MI)  80° prf

Nose: Lime, lime zest, orange peel, orange cream, watermelon, berry, fruity tea, dried fruit, lavender, violet, flowers, floral, juniper, strong herbal juniper, freshly cut grass, cucumber, mushroom, tarragon, clove, earthy, woods.
Palate: Lemon, lime, citrus, meringue, dried berries, juniper, cracked juniper, fresh herbs, green tea, mint, lemongrass, rose, lavender, hibiscus, orange blossom, honeysuckle, floral, dried flowers, pine, mushroom, peppery spice, spiced pepper, tree bark, mineral, chalky, limestone.
Finish: Lime peel/pith, meringue, strawberry pie, vanilla, juniper, rose water, rose, lingering floral notes, saffron, sweet spice, resin, menthol, eucalyptus, angelica, quinine, limestone, clean, delicious.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Petoskey Stone Botanical Gin



The Old G Gin
(The Old G, FL)  84° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon verbena, lemon peel, lime, citrus, lime souffle, citrus pastry, orange, cucumber, fragrant juniper, herbal juniper, sweet juniper, pine.
Palate: Lime peel, lime skin, light citrus, orange, banana, honey, dried violet, juniper, juniper berry, herbal juniper, pine, mint, winter mint, menthol, pastilles, angelica, clove, saffron, spices, white peppercorn, pink peppercorn, spicy pepper, peppery, mineral, limestone, nice mouthfeel.
Finish: Mango, tropical fruit, citrus, cucumber, juniper, pine, wet grass, herbal, winter mint, spices, brown spices, pink peppercorn, black pepper, peppery, minerals, limestone, smooth, silky, for a nice gin & tonic.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



The Old G Gin



A.M. Scott Distillery Orange Gin
(OH)  80° prf

Nose: Tangerine, orange soda, orange blossom, lemon, lemon zest, lime, lime vodka, lime soufflé, pollen, lavender, spice cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, celery, salt, sea water, crisp, zesty.
Palate: Orange, orange peel, tangerine, orange candy, Lemon, lime, lemon curd, fruit gum, pastry frosting, flowers, floral, herbs, grassy, menthol, spicy, peppery spice, briny, minerality, creamy.
Finish: Tangerine, orange peel, grapefruit, dried citrus, creamy vanilla, herb, sweet spice, brown spices, white pepper, peppery, granite.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



   A.M. Scott Distillery Orange Gin



Purity 34 Organic Craft Nordic Dry Gin
(Sweden)  86° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon zest, lime souffle, orange blossom honey, sorbet, dried cherry, lavender, herbs, piney juniper, cucumber, grass, sandalwood, menthol.
Palate: Lemon, lemon peel, lemon lollipop, citrus, cantaloupe melon, sweet berry, sweet grass, grassy, lemongrass, pine, celery seed, anise, menthol, juniper, floral juniper, spices, white pepper.
Finish: Juniper forward, lemon, lingering lemon verbena, citrus, cucumber, grassy, hay, fresh violet, peppery, dry, classic style, London dry, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



   Purity 34 Organic Craft Nordic Dry Gin



Alkkemist Gin
(Spain)  80° prf

Nose: Citrus, limoncello, orange spice cake, pastry, honeycomb, rose blossom, violet, flowers, licorice, anise, celery salt, sea water, clean.
Palate: Lemon, lemon zest, lemon curd, lime, orange, rose, rose petal, lavender, violet, yarrow, juniper, licorice, anise, mint, menthol, grassy herbs, lemongrass, dried leaves, clove, baking spice, pepper, pink peppercorn, limestone, soft,.
Finish: Lemony, lemon curd, grapefruit, citrus, honey, mango custard, rose, saffron, floral, flowery, juniper, winter mint, pink peppercorn, mineral, limestone, fresh, smooth, easy drinking.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



   Alkkemist Gin



Gin de Las Californias Citrico
(Mexico)  Distilled from sugar cane.  80° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, lime, lemon marmalade, lemon cream, lemon custard, orange, orange peel, orange Popsicle, orange custard, sweet berry, vanilla cream, violet, lavender, juniper, olive oil.
Palate: Lime, lemon verbena, lemon bar, lemon curd, lemon custard, sweet orange fruit, orange peel, citrus, tangerine, powdered orange, orange-cello, mango, dried peaches, tropical fruit, rose, dried flowers, basil, pine, black licorice, cream, round, smooth.
Finish: Orange, orange peel, orange-cello, honey, papaya, apricot, creamy vanilla bean, fresh violet, rose, floral, herb, mint, cinnamon, pistachio oil, zesty, nice for a cocktail.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Gin de Las Californias Citrico



Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
(Radico Khaitan, India)  86° prf

Nose: Lemon peel, lime peel, limeade, Sprite, tangerine, citrus, watermelon rind, cucumber, juniper, floral juniper, fresh herbs, mint, nutty, sweet spices, crisp.
Palate: Lemon-lime soda, lemon souffle, lemon verbena, lemon cream, lime Jell-o, grapefruit, dates, ginger, cilantro, parsley, anise, mint, menthol, eucalyptus, laurel, dried flowers, juniper, bright herbs, celery seed, allspice, coriander, clove, peppery spice, earth.
Finish: Lemon-lime soda, citrus, violet gum, floral, juniper, herbal, laurel, grassy, celery seed, baking spices, spicy, peppery, resin.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Zulu Hotel Airman’s Gin
(Dunamis Premium Spirits, FL)  Distilled from corn.  80° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, lime, grapefruit, orange blossom, lavender, rose water, meadow, floral juniper, fresh juniper, piney juniper, hazelnut, almond, clove, bark.
Palate: Lemon, lime zest, bergamot, orange, rose water, lavender, summer flowers, floral, juniper, herbal juniper, herbal, anise, mint, menthol, pine, pine needles, grassy, dried leaves, sandalwood, almond paste, clove, pink peppercorn, cracked pepper, spicy.
Finish: Juniper, lavender, violet, floral, winter mint, dried leaves, almond, black licorice, light anise, saffron, spice, peppery, light mineral, resin, balanced, for an excellent martini with olives.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Zulu Hotel Airman’s Gin



Gin de Las Californias Nativo
(Mexico)  Distilled from sugar cane.  84° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon bar, tangerine, berry, honeycomb, vanilla, Raisin Bran cereal, floral hops, lavender, lemongrass, cucumber.
Palate: Lemon, lemon pie, lemon cream, lemon curd, grapefruit, citrus, mango, Hi-C tropical peach, apricot, berry, dried citrus peel, orange blossom honey, honeycomb, soft rose, dried flowers, herbs, cracked juniper berries, mint, clove, sweet spices, peppery spice.
Finish: Strong lemon, lemon candy, orange cream Popsicle, orange peel, sweet citrus, tropical punch, orange blossom, fresh violets, dried violet, vanilla, juniper, grassy, dusty, earth, drink with ice, unique.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Gin de Las Californias Nativo



Robert's No. 1 American Dry Gin
(Oak House Distillery, GA)  86° prf

Nose: Lime, key lime, lime peel, lemon zest, citrus, watermelon, cucumber, rose, lavender, floral, juniper, floral juniper, almond, menthol, coriander, curry leaves, pine.
Palate: Lemon, lemon verbena, lemon curd, lime, citrus, rose, rose water, lavender, botanicals, juniper, piney juniper, pine, herbs, winter mint, lemongrass, grassy, curry leaf, coriander, exotic spices, baking spices, peppery spice, white pepper, cracked pepper, London Dry style.
Finish: Lime, citrus, violet, violet water, rose, vanilla, juniper, eucalyptus, grass, dried leaves, rosemary, coriander, kitchen spices, pink peppercorn, peppery, resin, zesty, full flavored, rich.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Robert's No. 1 American Dry Gin



A.M. Scott Distillery Original Gin
(OH)  80° prf

Nose: Subtle lemon, vanilla, custard, soft lavender, juniper, herbal juniper, pepper, musty, sea water, clean.
Palate: Lime skin, citrus, lemon curd, vanilla, nougat, dried apricot, mango, prickly pear, cactus, lemongrass, lavender, dried flowers, juniper, piney juniper, wormwood, grain, pink peppercorn, black pepper, spices, chalk, light mineral, gentle.
Finish: Prickly pear, dried citrus, powdered sugar, dried lavender, eucalyptus, celery salt, grain, mineral, limestone, pink peppercorns, chili pepper, lingering spices.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



A.M. Scott Distillery Original Gin



Purity 34 Organic Craft Nordic Old Tom Gin
(Sweden)  86° prf

Nose: Lemon marmalade, lime souffle, citrus, orange blossom, floral juniper, piney juniper, mint, sweet spices, celery salt, limestone, subtle wood, fresh.
Palate: Lemon, lemon/lime, lemon curd, citrus, pineapple, dried fruit, Coke, cane sugar, white sugar, birthday cake, honey, honeysuckle, rose, violet, sandalwood, floral talc, anise, grassy herbs, mint, menthol, saffron, spicy, wood, mineral.
Finish: Sweet citrus, honey, orange blossom, violet gum, dried violet, floral talc, saffron, juniper, minty, mineral, pleasingly viscous, soft.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Purity 34 Organic Craft Nordic Old Tom Gin



End of Days Luna Bloom Butterfly Pea Flower Gin
(End of Days Distillery, NC)  82° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, citrus, citrus peel, berries, rose water, lavender, violet flowers, floral, fresh herbs, juniper, pine, coriander, salty, wood, funk, clean, bright.
Palate: Lemon peel, citrus, berry, carrot, grassy, peas, vanilla bean, lavender, violets, rose blossoms, floral, distant juniper, juniper tea, herbal, mint, light licorice, wormwood, angelica, coriander, sweet spices, mixed peppercorn, pink peppercorn, chalky, salt/saline, mineral.
Finish: Lemon peel, dried citrus, lemon curd, lingering honey, lavender, violet, dried violet, flowers, pink peppercorns, black pepper, peppery, floral talc, chalk, mineral, rich.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



End of Days Luna Bloom Butterfly Pea Flower Gin

 

 



Best Barreled Gin
Best Barreled Gin

 

 

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!