Boodles Gin

This gin has been a long-time companion. I've relied on it for martinis for at least three decades, always mixed 3:1 with a specific vermouth, though my preference varies slightly. Today, I'm enjoying a martini served up with vermouth, garnished with an olive. It presents a crisp freshness, prominently featuring juniper, with a somewhat briny character (no, I didn't make it "dirty") and subtle sweet notes at the end. It's a dependable gin that creates a classic martini, especially with higher vermouth ratios. I appreciate it in a simple, direct martini when I want a quick preparation, using chilled gin, a frozen glass, a minimal amount of chilled vermouth, and a twist of lemon peel. While not the absolute best gin I've encountered, I find it superior to many common brands like Tanqueray, Fords, and Gordon's. I believe I prefer it to Beefeater, and it's perhaps on par with Bombay Sapphire, but it doesn't quite reach the level of The Botanist or Sipsmith.

It's neither good nor bad. The aroma is virtually nonexistent, even after letting it sit covered. It feels very smooth initially, then quickly becomes dry and sharp. While the producers claim botanicals, only the faintest hint of juniper and coriander can be detected after considerable effort. This tastes more like lightly flavored vodka than gin. The finish is brief and dry, leaving no lingering taste – again, like vodka. I can't think of a reason to use this citrus-free, lightly flavored gin in a drink over basic Tanqueray or Beefeaters, unless one has a strong aversion to anything resembling citrus. Or flavor.

I finally had the opportunity to acquire a bottle of this fine Gin. I concur with a previous assessment that it is excellent both straight and mixed. I've made very good Gin and Tonics with it, but I'm currently out of vermouth, so I'll revisit the review later. This is a dependable, juniper-forward London Dry Gin with a clean, crisp finish. I enjoy it and intend to include it in my regular rotation, though the vast number of Gins available makes that challenging. I highly recommend this Gin. After several bottles, I continue to find it an exceptional value for the quality provided.

The 45.2% ABV version. It smells of juniper, coriander, dirt from the garden, sage, and rosemary. It's pretty full-bodied with an oily feel in the mouth. The flavors of juniper, coriander, garden dirt, and sage come back on the tongue, joined by nutmeg and a floral note like a rose. The finish is long and mellow. 3.25/5.00 – Quite Good (neat)

For years, this has been my preferred choice for a 3:1 martini with Dolin vermouth. It's a sweet gin with a pleasant juniper presence that doesn't perform as well with tonic (in my opinion), but it makes for a robust gin-forward cocktail. It's a good value; I prefer it over Tanqueray in most drinks except highballs.

This is a very earthy, Juniper-forward Gin that is fantastic for spirit-forward cocktails like Martinis, Martinez, and Alaska. The absence of citrus allows the other elements to stand out. It's affordable, leading me to believe it's a compound Gin, but it still offers excellent flavor for the price.