1919 PINEAPPLE LUMP GIN

I was discussing gins with a shop employee who inquired if I had sampled a Pineapple Lump variety. Pineapple lumps are well-known New Zealand chewy candies coated in chocolate. Intriguingly, 1919 marked the year New Zealand considered prohibition, narrowly defeated by votes from soldiers. This was the sole nationwide poll decided by a simple majority; a subsequent referendum in December 1919 included state control of alcohol sales, with prohibition nearly succeeding. Though the prohibition movement persisted into the 1930s, New Zealand never came closer to banning alcohol than in those 1919 votes. Regardless, four observations emerged during my tasting: 1) It seems ill-suited to commemorate such a significant historical moment, though the distillery bears the 1919 name, not necessarily the gin itself. 2) Despite assurances it would exceed expectations, it fell short. 3) Does this release signify we've reached the zenith of gin innovation? 4) How much more unconventional will gin flavors become! I'll refrain from assigning a rating out of consideration for the person who shared it, but as you can surmise, it's far from a top score.