Brookie's Byron Dry Gin

Aroma: Warm, rich, and expansive, yet a bit stern. The scents are melded into a harmonious blend with notes of juniper, citrus, and herbs (spearmint, thyme, and anise). It possesses an earthy character and a comforting, creamy quality that is quite pleasing. Even with a deep inhale, there's no trace of alcohol, but a sharp, almost metallic undertone is present. Taste: Surprisingly, contrasting with the gentle and comforting warmth of the aroma, the initial impact is quite sharp and hot, though it sits on a rich and creamy foundation. It feels almost like chili pepper. The heat spreads but never becomes disagreeable, then gently fades into the finish. The finish is of medium length. The taste transitions into a spicy conclusion with a hint of sweetness. Alcohol is never noticeable, but that metallic, industrial presence lingers with this gin. This distillery is situated on the north coast of NSW, close to the Queensland border, within a warm, temperate rainforest environment. The distillery takes particular pride in utilizing local botanicals and maintains its own protected rainforest area for ingredient sourcing. The complete formula for this dry gin is kept secret, but it certainly includes finger limes, kumquat, aniseed myrtle, lilly pilly, macadamia nut, river mint, and native ginger. The heat experienced on the palate primarily comes from cinnamon myrtle and Dorrigo pepperberry. It's largely a successful example of the "modern dry" style of gin. Bold and quite intense, but the intensity is balanced by a smooth mouthfeel. However, it comes across as bright and hot on the initial neat tasting, and even when mixed in a G&T, the raw, harsh underlying element comes through. This is not a discreet gin, and that is its primary drawback. The distillery has focused so much on strong aromas and flavors that it becomes somewhat overpowering. Taste this, then sample a more subtle gin like Whitley & Neill, The Botanist, or others, and you'll immediately understand. "Average": 78/100 (2.75 stars)

Lingering anise flavor.