Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru Murcian Lemon

We enjoy Bombay Sapphire gin in numerous cocktails. My wife and I both like it in a martini, though our preferences for vermouth differ. It also shines in a White Lady, a Bee's Knees, or any other drink that benefits from a gin slightly less intense than a full London Dry. We didn't hesitate when this premium version of our usual gin was released. The aroma highlights lemon prominently, with orange playing a supporting role. The lemon notes somewhat obscure the orange. Compared to the standard Bombay Sapphire, the fruitiness is much more evident. The standard expression offers more spice. The palate of the standard Bombay Sapphire is smooth, leaning slightly towards juniper with hints of licorice, cardamom, and subtle floral notes. In contrast, the Premier Cru amplifies all of that with a citrus explosion. The lemon is abundant, and the orange makes a solid appearance on the taste buds. The citrus fruit character of this distillate is unmistakable. This is an excellent gin, especially with Fever Tree elderflower tonic water – a fantastic pairing! It's also very enjoyable with soda and a blood orange slice as a garnish. Unsurprisingly, it makes a very respectable Martini, pairing well with a lemon twist garnish. It's fruity, yet it holds its own when combined with Dolin dry vermouth, a couple of drops of orange bitters, and a touch of saline. I need to consider the value of this particular expression. The Premier Cru comes with a rather significant price increase over the standard version. This bottle cost me just over $30, which I feel is too much. It's very good, but its value proposition must be weighed. Overall, I like it and would suggest it if you already favor Sapphire or are curious to try something new. It likely won't become a permanent fixture on my bar, as there are other expressions I prefer that are less expensive. Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru is positioned against Tanqueray 10 – they are similarly priced and both boast a crafted, citrus-forward profile. I believe BSPC is targeting the special releases from Hendrick's. I've sampled most of the domestically available Hendrick's, and I enjoyed the 10. I would probably choose Orbium, Neptunia, Lunar, or Flora Adora over this, and possibly the T10 as well, though it's been too long for me to say definitively. I'm a strong supporter of the Hendrick's special releases. To me, they explore new flavor territories in gin as a temporary "experiment." That's enjoyable. I'm a bit more reserved in my praise for this one. It's very good, but unlike offerings such as Neptunia or Flora Adora, it's a relatively safe and moderate expression, and I believe a permanent addition to the line. It doesn't pioneer new ground, but it does highly refine aspects that have already been explored within the gin world. I'm pleased I purchased it and glad to know I can obtain it again, but I'm not in a rush to do so. Recommended if you haven't tried it, if you like Sapphire, and if you enjoy citrus-forward gin.

Bombay Sapphire Cru Premier Murcian Lemon London Dry Gin is a top-tier, five-star gin. Juniper, coriander, licorice, and citrus scents invigorate your senses. The exceptionally smooth entry leads to a palate of juniper, coriander, and lemon peel. Juniper, licorice, orange peel, mandarin, coriander, and lemon peel are the concluding flavors of a long, well-balanced, and lingering finish. Unlike Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, it lacks any dominant or even evident orris root. A classic, five-star premium gin that is excellent both mixed and neat.

I'm usually a bourbon drinker, but I sampled this gin after discussing martinis with some people. I was very impressed. It's also quite good sipped neat over large ice cubes.