Castle & Key Rise Gin (Spring 2021)

I've had this bottle on my shelf for a while, needing to clear space on my gin collection before acquiring new bottles. I recall buying it directly from the distillery after waiting in a long line on a very busy day, so much so that the queue extended outside, and I was feeling the heat intensely. This was also where I first discovered and became enamored with the concept of making homemade tonic water from a concentrate. I can't recall if they offered bottles of their homemade concentrate, but I certainly missed out if they did. I was very impressed by the variety of gins available for tasting and purchase, as most American distilleries typically offer only one or two types. After tasting all the available gins in a flight, I chose this one, though I don't particularly remember it being outstanding at the time. Nevertheless, the prices and alcohol percentages were quite reasonable for all the products, including most of the whiskeys, which was unexpected considering the atmosphere and character of the distillery grounds and the bold, uninhibited packaging. The aroma has many facets, all well-balanced, though it leans heavily towards being one of the most floral-dominant gins I've ever encountered. The rye base provides a grassy, slightly minty flavor, complemented by notes of coriander, rose, melon, lemon oil, and a distinct hint of Earl Grey tea, all combining effectively. The alcohol content isn't immediately apparent, other than lending a lack of thinness, but after smelling the glass further, the ethanol begins to emerge and even stings the nostrils slightly. The initial taste seems like milky, somewhat fruity cereal, which I seem to recall from tasting other gins at the distillery, leading me to believe this is characteristic of the base distillate. In addition to this, there are sweet, sugary notes of black tea and fresh flowers, very reminiscent of a London Fog flavor with the underlying milky note, along with a dryness that allows me to perceive coriander and the spicy, earthy rye. Without the peculiar initial flavor, the surprisingly potent kick of ethanol would be more striking, as it hits the gums forcefully and maintains its intensity through the finish. In principle, this gin is highly distinctive in its production and ingredients, so its unique taste isn't surprising. The pervasive milky flavor is a first for me and would be more appealing if not for a robust, almost spicy body imparted by the higher alcohol content. Despite being my top choice at the distillery during my last visit, it's still not something I'd opt for neat, on the rocks, or even in simple mixed drinks like a G&T or gimlet. I strongly suspect it would excel in a gin fizz or other creatively complex gin-based cocktails. If it were more expensive, I'd deem it not worth the cost given its limited appeal, but the price point is perfectly reasonable for trying at least one of the gin offerings from this distillery to discover your preferred choice among the very distinct options.

I'm not typically a gin drinker, but this made a good cocktail at the distillery, so I purchased a bottle. It's definitely floral, with sweetness on the backend.