Cotswolds Dry Gin

Blind gin tasting, Sydney, April 20, 2019. Nose: Sharp, clean juniper. Pine needles, white pepper, citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime), lavender, rose, coriander, fennel, and sage. It presents a bright, clean aroma with complexity. Palate: Juniper, lemon, blood orange, grapefruit, cinnamon, powdered ginger, licorice, coriander, orris root, pepper, sage, peppermint. The taste is very fresh and crisp with a strong presence and an excellent balance of sweet and spicy elements. The texture is creamy and silken yet also dry. Finish: Long. Juniper, citrus, and spice notes. Gin #6 on the tasting sheet. Nearly everyone voted this the best gin of the day. It was sampled right after Monkey 47 (as we later found out) and scored higher than that gin. When the price was revealed, it was unanimously declared the best value for quality among all the gins tasted, and the outright top gin of the day. The aroma was distinct from every other gin we sampled due to its remarkable crispness. The palate is full and assertive, but not excessively spicy, and the finish is quite long and warming, with a sophisticated salty licorice note. It's enjoyable sipped neat over ice, and it also pairs very well with tonic water. It's non-chillfiltered and creates a pleasingly light, almost opalescent white haze when diluted. "Outstanding": 90/100 (5 stars)

Hmm. What I appreciate about Gin is its variety... a touch of base Juniper and then aiming for distinction. However, that also means you're never quite sure what the blend will taste like. Now, I LOVE lavender.. it smells wonderful and grows well, suppressing weeds. Birds build nests in the bushes on our property. However, just because you enjoy the scent of something doesn't guarantee you'll enjoy its taste, and I really, really DISLIKE drinking lavender. Needless to say, this one isn't for me. A good mixer can often salvage a gin or at least alter the profile for the better, but my usual choices aren't helping this one. Roots, Method and Madness, Monkey 47, The Botanist - I'd be happy with any of those, but this is a definite pass for me. Update: New day, fresh palate, and it's still not to my liking. I'm simply not a fan of floral gin unless it has a robust Juniper and Citrus foundation. There was a gin from Ireland with sweet berries or something... Mor, I think it was called... people also raved about it... ugh. I'm now trying Cadrona gin... I should have read the label as I'm now being assaulted by rosehip... some days you just can't win.

A crisp, dry gin from Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton, England, crafted with local components & botanicals. A blend of juniper, coriander & angelica is steeped in pure wheat spirit for 24 hours prior to the addition of locally sourced lavender, bay leaves, grapefruit, lime, black pepper & cardamom. It presents a floral beginning with hints of lavender & fresh juniper; followed by a bold middle with notes of grapefruit peel, lime, black pepper & coriander; culminating in a refreshing end with notes of cardamom seed & bay leaves. July 2020

A pour from a club. I never thought I'd enjoy gin straight, but this impressed me immensely. Nose: Lemon, Grapefruit, Juniper, Raspberries, Floral notes like Roses and Dandelions, Oranges, Limes, Cinnamon, Peach, Sour Cherries Palate: Juniper, Cinnamon, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Honey, Anise, Mint, Coriander, Vanilla Finish: Grapefruit, Pepper, Lemon, Orange, Citrus Peels, Citrus Zest, Vanilla

Juniper, lemon, and a multitude of spices are present. It feels like there's a lot happening here; very intricate. It might be overwhelming in some mixed drinks, but it truly shines in a Bee's Knees made with 2 oz of the spirit, 1 oz of honey syrup, and 1 oz of fresh lemon juice. It also carries a significant cost.

Dominant juniper flavor at the start, followed by bright citrus notes after the initial impact. Lingering aftertaste. Consume on its own or in a simple cocktail. Superb for a Martini, awful for an Aviation.