Esmé Gin

I thought it would be interesting to compare two French gins with identical ABV, similar pricing, and comparable botanical profiles – a perfect setup for a side-by-side comparison. However, I feel somewhat misled as I assumed both were distilled gins; Esmé is a distilled gin, whereas G.W. Goodwynn is apparently a London Dry Gin. Thus, the comparison is slightly less direct, but it could still be valuable to determine which performs better. Here's a brief overview of what I found about Esmé: Style: Distilled Gin Origin Country: France Stated Botanicals: juniper, citrus, spice (not very specific); infused with rose and cucumber ABV: 40% (made from 100% neutral grain spirit derived from French winter wheat) Cost: $22.99 Nose: Very subtle. So subtle that I had to check another bottle, Empress 1908, to verify my senses. If Empress 1908 is at a volume of 10, this is like a 3. Juniper is the main scent but is very subdued; floral and citrus notes are present but buried within. Palate: Ah, there it is! It has a light body and a creamy texture. A rapid succession of juniper, lemon peel, cucumber water, and rose petals. Crisp, fruity, and floral, with a faint earthiness. I'm not detecting much spice. Finish: Medium in length with a touch of spice and a very noticeable rose aftertaste that evolves into a long-lasting juniper note. Conclusion: I initially enjoyed this, likely due to the surprise of finding any flavor after the disappointing nose. However, as I continued to sip, the lemon began to taste soapy. It's possible there are no lemon peels included, but I'm now getting a strong lemon dish soap flavor. Furthermore, I believe this gin is far too delicate for mixing. And I might be mistaken, but I doubt that lemon dish soap flavor would work well in cocktails. It's probably best enjoyed neat if you're seeking a lemon-forward sipping gin, but I'd suggest looking elsewhere for a mixer (unless you have some creative ideas for it – feel free to share them below!). 3.25 ~ Average

Rated 14/23. This spirit is more aromatic and less conventional than Regent, presenting a balanced and subtle profile. However, the sweetness can be overpowering, amplifying the alcohol's presence, leading to a faint resemblance of dish soap. Despite this, I find it generally pleasing and superior to Esmé vodka, though I'm not as fond of it as I once was. It remains quite enjoyable but is best suited for specific occasions. Compared to Green House gin, which is more vibrant with fruity and floral notes, including green apple instead of just roses, this gin is less distinctive and versatile, making Green House better for specific fruit-forward gin cocktails. Green House is smoother, with a more refined sweetness and delicate fruitiness, executing its fruity floral profile well. I would choose it over Esmé.

There's a hint of floral character, but it's otherwise surprisingly light. The palate is very floral with some bitter pine providing balance. It's light and unconventional, but it actually works well. It's quite enjoyable to take a break and savor the floral notes. Using this for mixing would be risky due to its flavor profile, but it's very pleasant to sip. I'm uncertain about its suitability for cocktails, but that doesn't detract from its quality as a gin. It's smooth, although it can't mask its harshness with alleged spices, as there's no spice flavor. However, the pine does add a somewhat spicy element, which is helpful. I'd say it's slightly better than the Esmé vodka. Very nice! Actually, there is a touch of prickly spice here too. Beneath the floral notes, sweetness, and pine, there's a pleasant, clean spring water flavor.

Nose: Juniper, lemon and orange zest, rose, vanilla frosting, floral notes, lavender, with a slight ethanol burn. Taste: Juniper, lemon zest, rose, sweet floral notes, cucumber, black pepper, with a mild to moderate alcohol bite. The finish is quick with juniper, bitter citrus, and pepper flavors. This is quite ordinary. It resembles a standard London Dry Gin, but the flavors are indistinct and generally hard to identify. I prefer this slightly over GW Goodwynn and Bombay Sapphire, but less than Beefeater and Tanqueray, so I rate it as average.

The aroma is like lemon Lysol, but in the best possible way. It also has a very minty, mountainous character, similar to Fernet Branca or Braulio but without any bitterness. Coriander seed is also quite noticeable. The taste is bright and sweet. The incredibly floral fruit flavors were an exact match for Asian pear. After the initial taste of Asian pear, the lemon peel and coriander reach a peak. I personally appreciate it when modern gins explore flavor profiles like this. I'm eager to purchase a full-size bottle next time.

A crisp, contemporary take on London Dry Gin from France, featuring an aromatic beginning with notes of juniper & cucumber; its full life introduces rose petals & coriander, leading to a long & complex conclusion. November 2015 / January 2018