Empress 1908 Indigo Gin

Nose: Initial gin bite with some tartness and clear juniper. Then, softer herbal scents emerge, providing depth and a touch of green character. It's difficult to pin down; could even have a faint nutty quality, like aged hazelnut. Palate: Nicely bright without being overpowering, leading directly into spices and herbs. A vegetal quality adds richness but doesn't dominate. Hints of citrus (orange, lemon) appear occasionally, but that dimension is surprisingly understated given the spirit's blue hue. It's very harmonious yet intricate. Juniper is present, alongside numerous other tastes. A subtle floral note weaves through, but it's not strong at all (definitely not like a certain other gin). This isn't a potent gin for masking in a fruit-heavy cocktail, but its complexity might suit a martini. At times, the spices offer warmth, yet it's never harsh. After some thought, I suspect that slightly off nuttiness comes from a type of stale coriander. I don't see it as an improvement or detriment, but perhaps I grasp it better now. Finish: Somewhat rich with a hint of nuttiness and still some indistinct herbs and spices. A mild vegetal note forms the background of the richness. Conclusion: A solid gin. It offers a novel approach but achieves a well-balanced character with pleasing, layered complexity. I can easily enjoy this by itself. The reason for its blue color is unclear, but the quality is undeniable. It's gentler than even a certain London gin, yet exceptionally well-crafted. I would favor this over that particular gin, though they serve different purposes. Similarly, I'd choose a certain high-proof gin over this, again, for different applications. Frankly, it resembles something between a hazelnut liqueur and a herbal liqueur, but less sweet. The gin it most resembles is another London dry, but without its unpleasant oceanic notes. That particular gin's fishiness is intense when compared directly. If I were seeking a gin, I'd probably lean towards a certain Pacific-themed gin instead. This seems destined for a score of 15. I genuinely appreciate this and anticipate purchasing it in the future, but it hasn't fully captured my interest as a go-to for any mixed drink, and other spirits in a comparable price range are more appealing for neat consumption. Appreciation to a user for the sample!

This spirit is purple, and while I'd known about it for a while, I had no desire to acquire it. A companion, however, wished to sample it, leading to my purchase upon locating it. The hue and the little interactive feature are appealing, though I can also envision it being a risky marketing choice for traditionalists, as its vividness might be perceived as unpleasant. Nevertheless, I'm approaching this with an open mind; the color doesn't deter me. What does, however, is London dry gin, which typically lacks distinction or appealing botanical notes. On a more positive note for gin, regarding the aroma: moderate juniper, some citrus oils, and surprisingly, a substantial ethanol presence for its low proof. Curiously, it lacks almost any floral character or quality, despite expectations it would excel in this area. It's undeniably a London dry, no question. The dryness immediately impacts the palate and gums, with the aforementioned juniper and citrus from the nose being quite subdued. It's at this point the floral notes finally emerge, but again, this gin style simply doesn't allow complex flavors to come through. The finish is rather bitter, and not in a pleasant way. To me, this resembles a craft American gin made without proper attention; the components are likely present, but the proportions might be incorrect, or perhaps a batch missed certain botanicals in the infusion process. Frankly, I'm uncertain of its intended style, partly because my gin knowledge is still developing, and also because it's a Canadian product, and I can't recall many well-known gins from that region. It's uninspiring, looks quite alarming in a tasting glass, and relies heavily on its color-changing trick. It doesn't justify the cost, unless the goal is to impress in areas other than taste.

4.13.22 Served: Neat, in a Flute. Bottle Opened: Over 3 months ago Previous Consumption: Lemon Water, shortbread cookies. Aroma: You really have to inhale deeply to detect anything. Of the listed botanicals, only coriander is noticeable. There's an unusual vanilla note that borders on rose; perhaps it's the floral components. Flavor: Full-bodied. The taste is uniquely more complex than the aroma suggests. Classic notes of juniper and grapefruit are present, along with lingering florals and tea-like tannins. It strikes me as far too weak in character for mixing or sipping straight. I'll try it again at another time, but for now, I'm dismissing it as pleasant but overly subdued. It's a colorful gimmick for vodka drinkers seeking a sophisticated experience by drinking gin.

This is the most unusual spirit I've encountered so far. It resembles the tears of the Kool-Aid Man. Nose: juniper, lemon, and pine. Palate: slightly oily and a little sweet. The juniper and citrus are well-balanced, and everything is quite subtle. Finish: A fairly long finish for a gin, with notes of warm spices, orange, and cranberry. This can easily be enjoyed on its own, but I imagine it creates some strikingly vibrant cocktails. I'm eager to experiment with its color-changing property. While I don't fault the distillery for including the ultraviolet feature, it's commendable that they've complemented the flashy aspect with a genuinely solid product.

A change of pace today as it's gotten warm here. A client gave a bottle of this to my daughter-in-law, and she made us a most refreshing gin and tonic using Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic. The first was garnished with a lemon, and the second with an orange. As she carried our drinks across the room, I was struck by the rich purple hue of the beverage. It complemented the garnish beautifully, especially the orange. (I'm adding 0.25 points for visual appeal.) The citrus garnish pairs well with the underlying gin, which is quite good. The elderflower from the tonic is present, along with juniper and coriander. It has a most enjoyable aroma and a light, welcoming taste.

It won the blind tasting. Great. Floral, with strange earthy tannins and bright botanicals. Rich and lovely. Plus, the purple color adds to the enjoyment. And yes, I essentially rushed through this review and am embarrassed I can't offer more. Um... how about the fun fact that in Hopi Indian folklore, the Hopi people were guided underground by Ant People during a fiery cataclysm that destroyed the Earth's surface, only to be brought back up years later and resettle in their current region. Does that compensate for it?