Gin 2022 - Part 2
 

Best Gin 2022 - Part 2

 

The Fifty Best Gin Tasting 2022


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 46 gins (Traditional/London Dry, modern/contemporary, botanical) with fourteen 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, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. 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. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Barking Irons Gin
(Van Brunt Stillhouse, Brooklyn, NY) 88° prf

Nose: Lemon, lemon peel, tangerine, minty citrus, quince, lingonberry pear, watermelon, fruit gum, bubble gum, vanilla, cream soda, cream, apple pie, almond danish pastry, spice cake, floral, herbaceous, herbal juniper, piney juniper, black licorice, cinnamon, sage, nutmeg.
Palate: Lemon bar, candied lemon, citrus, caramelized apple, vanilla, raisins, violets, hibiscus, jasmine, blossoms, black licorice, herbal juniper, herbal, mint, menthol, pine, cinnamon, allspice, clove, nutmeg, spice, baking spices, pink peppercorn, mineral, wet stone, sweet, creamy.
Finish: Lemon, Meyer lemon, orange peel, citrus, dried cherry, baked apple crisp, vanilla bean, night blooming jasmine, floral, juniper, nutty, anise, mint, wet stones, clean, nice, pretty.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Barking Irons Gin



Georgetown Texas Dry Gin
(A.W. Craft Distillery, TX) 90° prf

Nose: Vanilla, pastry, biscuits, crackers, almond, pistachio, juniper, fresh herbs, spearmint, lemongrass, cinnamon, clean, crisp.
Palate: Lime peel, 7UP, lemon candy, caramel, honey, cream, vanilla, juniper, herbal juniper, herbal, celery root, grassy, mint, black licorice, coriander, baking spices, pepper, white peppercorn, classic gin, creamy.
Finish: Lemon, Meyer lemon, lime skin, juniper, fennel, mint, violet gum, cinnamon, white pepper, smooth, clean, rich, zingy, tasty, classic.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Georgetown Texas Dry Gin



Lucky Star Gin
(Coastal Bend Distilling, Co., TX) 80° prf

Nose: Lemon peel, light citrus, cucumber, subtle watermelon, violet, lavender, mint, pine, piney juniper, almond, macadamia nut, bran, raisin bran, oats, grain, pretzel.
Palate: Lemon, lemon peel, tangerine, citrus, citrus peel, watermelon rind, cucumber water, passion fruit, lemon custard, vanilla, orange blossom, violets, floral, juniper berry, bold juniper, piney juniper, spearmint, menthol, vegetal, cracked celery salt, nutty, dough, mineral, balanced, soft, smooth.
Finish: Lemon peel, lemon zest, lemon drops, delicate citrus, anise, Earl Grey tea, spicy high notes, pink peppercorns, toast, mineral, wet stone, limestone, thick mouthfeel, balanced, vibrant, assertive, very smooth, very nice.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Lucky Star Gin



Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin
(The Reformed Spirits Co., London, UK) 90.4° prf

Nose: Lime, lemon verbena, lemon rind, bergamot, orange peel, citrus, lime soufflé, honey, floral, piney juniper, pine. celery, vegetal, chicory, caraway, tarragon, cinnamon, nutmeg.
Palate: Bright citrus, lemon, lime, lemon/lime soda, orange, orange peel, citrus, ripe pear, honey, blossoms, floral, herbal, mint, grassy, lemongrass, juniper, hay, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, pink peppercorn, zesty.
Finish: Lemon, 7UP, pineapple, dried fruit, fruit gum, vanilla, juniper, piney juniper, pine, spearmint, licorice, cinnamon, coriander, pepperoncini, spicy, woody, nice, great, yummy.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin



Vim & Petal Dry Gin
(Middle West Spirits, OH) 84° prf

Nose: Lemon zest lemon peel, lime peel, orange, citrus, dried dates, raisins, honey, cream, nougat, almond waffles, fresh grains, pistachio, roses, lavender soap, vegetal, mint, pine, piney juniper, sandalwood, sage, earth.
Palate: Kaffir lime, lemon peel, citrus, lime leaf, lime cream, custard, vanilla, white chocolate, honey, lavender, slightly floral, juniper, cracked juniper, nutty, wheat, grain, black licorice, mint, menthol, lemongrass, curry leaf, clove, coriander, woody, chalky, wet stone, mineral, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Lavender bomb, dried violets, honeycomb, vanilla, cream, carrot, juniper, cereal seeds, sunflower seeds, sage, thyme, anise, eucalyptus, pine, resin, mineral, good structure, complex, interesting, great up, soft, approachable.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Vim & Petal Dry Gin



Dented Brick Bristlecone Gin
(Dented Brick Distillery, UT) 90° prf

Nose: Lime peel, lemon balm, 7UP, watermelon, dates, floral, lemongrass, herbal juniper, bay leaf, marjoram, slightly vegetal, pine, earth.
Palate: Lemon peel, Meyer lemon, lime, bergamot, citrus, dried raspberries, fruit gum, custard, rose, chamomile, spearmint, sweet juniper, herbal juniper, cinnamon, cassia, spices, spicy pepper, black pepper, curry leaf, angelica root, orris root, gentian, pine.
Finish: Lemon, lime, verbena, citrus, orange, Creamsicle, vanilla, anise, fresh violet, lavender, mint, wintermint, juniper, angelica root, spicy, interesting, silky, pleasant.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Dented Brick Bristlecone Gin



Monopolowa Dry Gin
(J.A. Baczewski, Vienna, Austria) 87° prf

Nose: Lime, quince, cucumber, watermelon, sorrel, honey, rose, sea buckthorn, piney juniper, cardamom, clove, woody.
Palate: Meyer lemon, lemon curd, lemon marmalade, lime, grapefruit peel, sweet berry, mango custard, creamy, frosting, honey, violets, dried flowers, herbal juniper, anise, orris root, coriander seeds, cinnamon gum, cloves, pepper, spicy.
Finish: Citrus, dried citrus, dried fruit, rose sorbet, anise, black licorice, Angelica root, wormwood, herbs, lemon thyme, brown spices, pink peppercorns, mineral, nice, very tasty.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Monopolowa Dry Gin



Indlovu Citrus Gin
(IBHU, So. Africa) 86° prf

Nose: Fresh squeezed orange, tangerine, mandarin orange, orange peel, orange oil, orange Jell-O, orange candy, orange Creamsicle, Tang, Orange Crush, lemon, grapefruit peel, citrus peel, fresh pineapple, apricot, Asian pear, kiwi, candied fruit, spicy honey, elderflower, black tea, vanilla, malt, saline.
Palate: Fresh mandarin orange juice, orange juice, Sunny D, tangerine, orange peel, orange skin, orange oil, bitter orange, citrus, orange skittles, orange cream, orange frosting, mango custard, apricot, berry, gummy bear, honey, vanilla, ice cream soda, rooibos, tea, mint, oak, barrel age, vermouth-like.
Finish: Orange, tangerine, orange Starburst, orange bomb, orange liqueur, orange oils, orange bitters, gummy bears, honey, vanilla bean, orange blossom, chamomile, Angelica, tarragon, coriander, spicy, different, add to champagne, good for French 75, breakfast gin, yummy.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Indlovu Citrus Gin



Patio29 Yolo County Craft Gin
(Patio29 Spirits Co., CA) 90° prf

Nose: Lemon peel, orange, citrus, dried cherry, tropical fruit, cucumber, celery, anise, vegetal, juniper, rose, rose petals, dried flowers, herbal, tea, almond bark, pistachio, clove, spices, scotch pine.
Palate: Lime, lemon curd, Key lime, yuzu zest, lemon/lime soda, citrus,dried berries, dried fruit, vanilla, pastry cream, juniper, cocoa, malt, nutty, sandalwood, floral, dried leaves, Earl Grey tea, mint, spearmint, licorice, pink peppercorn, jalapeño, spicy, round, bright.
Finish: Strong citrus peel, citrus breezes, apple, berries, raisin, vanilla, juniper, fennel, sage, hints of clove, jalapeño, spicy, mint, menthol, wet stone, mineral, resin, woody, nice, beautiful for cocktails.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Patio29 Yolo County Craft Gin



Brickway Premium Midwestern Gin
( Brickway Distillery, NE) 80° prf

Nose: Lime zest, orange, subtle citrus, watermelon, juniper, herbal juniper, dried celery leaf, grassy, grain, sandalwood.
Palate: Lemon peel, dried lime peel, grapefruit, lemon crème, melon, fig, fruit gum, vanilla, violets, dried flowers, juniper, vegetal, anise, very spearmint, eucalyptus, Angelica, pine, soft coriander, clove, dough, thick mouthfeel, creamy, very gentle.
Finish: Lemon, lime oil, grapefruit peel, anise, juniper, vanilla, jasmine, lemongrass, eucalyptus, cloves, pine, resin, limestone, mineral, clean, soft, good as a mixer.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Brickway Premium Midwestern Gin



Indlovu Pink Gin
(IBHU, So. Africa) 86° prf

Nose: Strawberry, blackberry, sweet berry, cherry, rhubarb, passion fruit, plum, watermelon, papaya, apricot, red apple, banana peel, fruit punch, candied apple, Juicy Fruit gum, bubble gum, candy chews, floral juniper, floral, pink roses.
Palate: Pineapple, banana, tangerine, berry, apple, red apple, rhubarb, tropical fruit, marmalade, cherry rock candy strawberry candy, Starburst candy, fruit gum, cotton candy, rose, rosewater, rose blossoms, pink blossoms, lavender, chamomile, floral, sweet, creamy.
Finish: Passion fruit, pineapple, papaya, verbena, apple peel, tropical fruit, Skittles, rhubarb candy, bubble gum, wax penny candy, mint, dry, crisp, nice, lovely.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Indlovu Pink Gin



BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Kinsale Summer Cove Gin
(Ireland) 80° prf

Nose: Lemon peel, citrus peel, citrus, tangerine, rose water, flower, floral juniper, herbal juniper, piney juniper, cucumber lotion, Earl Grey tea, licorice, fresh rosemary, sandalwood, almond bark, quinine, resinous, earth.
Palate: Lime, lemon, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, citrus, fruit gum, ripe cucumber, anise, mint, menthol, juniper, herbal juniper, grassy herbs, grassy, dried leaves, rose, violets, floral, pink peppercorn, white pepper, vanilla, creamy, fresh.
Finish: Lemon, lemon citrus, lime zest, lime peel, dried citrus, pomelo, kiwi, mint, grass, juniper, dried violets, custard, mineral, limestone, granite, resin, piney, woody, smooth, even, clean, crisp, nice finish, rich & full bodied.


Bronze Medal
bronze medal



   ”Kinsale



Six Dogs Karoo
Thorn and Wild Lavender Gin

(Six Dogs Distillery, So. Africa) 83° prf

Nose: Clementine, peach, stone fruit, mild citrus, honey, subtle floral notes, light juniper, herbs, mint, cinnamon, spice cake, cardamom, spices, celery salt, woody thyme, clean, fresh linen, fresh ocean breeze.
Palate: Lemon, sweet lemon, prickly pear, lightly peachy, white chocolate, classic juniper, herbal, mint, anise, black licorice, pea leaves, coriander, thyme, spice, peppercorns, woody, wet stone, creamy.
Finish: Lemon, Meyer lemon, dried lemon peel, mandarin orange, some citrus, anise, black licorice, pepper, creamy vanilla, clean, soft, gentle, nice, easy, pleasant.


Bronze Medal
bronze medal



Six Dogs Karoo Thorn and Wild Lavender Gin



Wheeler's Western Dry Gin
(Santa Fe Spirits, NM) 80° prf.

Nose: Lemon peel, lemon zest, lime, orange peel, cucumber, fennel, lavender, rose, hints of sandalwood, creamed corn, pastry,.Chai tea, minty, menthol, subtle herbs, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric.
Palate: Lemon curd, 7UP, Sprite, ginger, celery, anise, Earl Grey tea, dried flowers, slightly floral, minty, menthol, eucalyptus, sandalwood, grassy, sage, cardamom, thyme, turmeric, orris root, wormwood, pecans, grain, pink peppercorn, earth, slight brine, vanilla extract, buttery, creamy mouthfeel, smooth.
Finish: Lime, lemon bar, sweet citrus, Pecan Sandies cookies, nutty, juniper, milk thistle, gentian root, Angelica, thyme, dried leaves, dandelion, mint, eucalyptus, wet stone, mineral, soft, elegant.


Bronze Medal
bronze medal



Wheeler's Western Dry Gin



Collective Arts Plum & Blackthorn Gin
(Collective Arts Distilling, Ontario, Canada) 87° prf

Nose: Lime, lemon, Sprite, watermelon, dried cherry, fruit gum, coconut cream, vanilla soda, cream soda, Coca Cola, root beer, ginger ale, ginger, tequila & soda, floral juniper, floral, Masala chai tea, basil, cardamom, clove, cocoa, cedar.
Palate: Meyer lemon, lime, lemon peel, bergamot, black cherry, tutti-frutti, cola, root beer, vanilla, cream soda, pastry, nuts, soft juniper, saffron, lavender, lemongrass, herbal, wintergreen, menthol, light pine, cardamom, coriander, pepper, wormwood, gentian, Angelica root, sweet talc.
Finish: Lime, lemon peel, lemon balm, rose, violet, dried flowers, floral, juniper, fennel, eucalyptus, mint, grassy, spicy, earth, soft, bold, assertive, great.


Bronze Medal
bronze medal



Collective Arts Plum & Blackthorn Gin



Mirari Amber African Botanics Gin
(Time Anchor Distillery, So. Africa) 86° prf.

Nose: Blood orange, orange blossom, dried lemon peel, dried fruit, honey, floral, dried flowers, mint, juniper, cinnamon spice cake, cinnamon bark, oil soap, saline, earth, oak.
Palate: Lemon, orange, tangerine, citrus, mango, hints of rhubarb, tropical, cherry, honey, bitter honey, orange candy, candied, caramel, cola, juniper, licorice, ginger, rooibos tea, grassy, coriander, clove, peppery, pine, cedar, oak.
Finish: Lemon drop, orange, grapefruit, citrus, candied, ginseng, juniper, anise, mint, tea, cinnamon, peppercorns, interesting, zingy, lively.


Bronze Medal
bronze medal



Mirari Amber African Botanics Gin



Collective Arts Rhubard & Hibiscus Gin
(Collective Arts Distilling, Ontario, Canada) 87° prf

Nose: Pink lemonade, watermelon, vibrant juniper, rose, rosewater, violets, lavender, floral, dried flowers, saffron, tangy, clean, pretty.
Palate: Lemon, Meyer lemon, verbena, orange, berry, dried mango, carrot, vegetal, juniper, violet, lavender, rose, white flowers, blossoms, very floral, cardamom, cinnamon, mint, pine, balanced, rich, zesty.
Finish: Sweet lemon, lemon bar, citrus, dried berries, celery sticks, juniper, sweet juniper, floral juniper, geraniums, mint, spicy, saline, mineral, wet stone, wood, Campari, nice sweetness.


Bronze Medal
bronze medal



Collective Arts Rhubard & Hibiscus Gin

 

 



Best Barreled Gin
Best Barreled Gin

 

 

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