Copperworks Northwest Small Batch Gin

It has an unusual mushroomy, umami, dirty sock aroma that reminds me of scotch. The palate is packed with minerals. It's very clean in a way, but has an overwhelming mineral taste that is challenging on the palate. It actually leaves my tongue feeling rough. The flavor is subdued to a concerning degree. It's remarkable that something with this nose tastes so mineral and spicy. The spices are difficult to discern beneath the alcohol, but they are present. The spices are quite intense, perhaps excessively so. I can accept that coriander and lemon peel are included, but the flavor is very generic and uninspiring. This is not enjoyable to drink but is not too harsh to be used as a mixer. It tastes very much like a standard gin with significant coriander and juniper. It's strong and harsh, but not overly bitter. It's acceptable, but not particularly special or outstanding. There's a faint hint of vanilla, but not much. There's an excess of mineral.

Rating: 16/23 This is a considerable improvement over the vodka. The vodka had a few nice flavors followed by a disgusting tarry imitation. This version almost completely removes the tar while introducing added piney and citrus complexity and balance. It's akin to a naturally sweet London dry gin, but without tasting dull or being overly aggressive. It's definitely above a 15 and could potentially be a 17. I'm settling on a 16. Interestingly, I rated this a 10 previously, which is a significant change. Either my palate was in a very different state then, or they have altered something about this gin. I tend to believe the latter (which isn't my usual assumption) because on both occasions, this was the second spirit tasted in a flight, their vodka was the first, and I gave the vodka a 12 both times. The positive outcome is that this batch is a really good gin.

Difficult for me to evaluate since I don't usually drink gin straight, but it seems pleasant. Balanced flavors (I taste the juniper, but it doesn't resemble pine cleaner), just also very, very potent on its own.