Batch 206 Old Tom Counter Gin

The scent presents a mild spice, showing juniper alongside sweetness, coriander, cinnamon, and a clean laundry aroma. The taste combines a thick caramel sweetness with a sharp, numbing sensation of menthol and clove. It's intriguing and enjoyable with its own distinct flavor profile, not a typical jumble of tastes. With more sips, the fresh juniper becomes a bit too prominent, overwhelming the sweetness somewhat, though the sweetness does push back. This is interesting, but I'd prefer more depth to balance the strong juniper. The sweetness seems somewhat disconnected from the juniper. Plenty of lavender, coriander, and vanilla also appear, harmonizing well with the juniper. While it could benefit from some refinement, this is a rather good gin with a pleasant sweet character. Knowing it includes tarragon, I can certainly detect that flavor. I quite like this gin for its blend of spices and floral notes. The juniper could be slightly reduced. I have no idea how the original reviewer detected no juniper (Update: I now understand they sampled a version significantly less than half the age of this one). I do detect a little of the chamomile they mentioned, perhaps they grouped the juniper with that? By concentrating on a few botanicals, Batch 206 offers a gin with clear and recognizable elements. The sweetness does have a hint of hummingbird food that I wish was better integrated into the overall drink, but that's hardly a major issue. There's a youthful quality here that was likely too assertive before aging, but is much more palatable now.