Bokma Jonge Graanjenever

Nose: Faint spirit aromas with a hint of grain, lightly toasted bread, and brief traces of juniper. Palate: Mildly sweet with an indistinct herbal quality. A neutral spirit character with a subtle cereal presence. It's warming but not harsh or burning. The texture is somewhat slick/oily, but not rich. Finish: Brief. Notes of grain and yeasty white bread with an herbal hint. This spirit is subtle, almost to the point of being uninteresting, akin to white dog diluted with neutral alcohol. It has light herbal notes but is the mildest genever I've ever sampled. It's not inherently bad, but I prefer more pronounced flavors, finding this weak and dull. I much preferred the Bols Jonge Jenever I tried previously. Having purchased this, I'm uncertain how I'll utilize the entire bottle. It lacks the character I desire for sipping neat, but it might perform well in cocktails or make an interesting martini. It could also pair nicely with flavored tonics, but experimentation will be necessary. I wouldn't recommend this. It's not a 'bad' spirit, just rather plain and unexciting; it doesn't even quite qualify as 'average' in my opinion. The official tasting notes from the producer are accurate. Rating: 'Adequate' - 74/100 (2.25 stars) UPDATE: Served over ice with a lime wedge and good tonic, it's acceptable, but I'd still prefer nearly any gin. The rating remains unchanged for now. UPDATE 2: I've been gradually trying this in various combinations over the past week. The three most enjoyable ways I've discovered so far are: chilled straight from the freezer as a shot, as a gin substitute in a martini, and mixed 50/50 with a very robust gin like Never Never Juniper Freak. It would likely work as a vodka substitute in most situations, but overall, it's simply not a very captivating drink.

Strong caramel, malty, sweet, spiced, with an aftertaste and almost no smoke.