Hendrick's Flora Adora

It's been observed that a lingering fragrance attaches itself to the hand that offers flowers. I enjoy gin and bold, impactful flavors. I'm drawn to the unconventional, and this spirit represents the pinnacle of that. Rarely have my expectations been so thoroughly defied as with this drink. I appreciate Hendrick's special releases and have found them consistently enjoyable, but this one is a clear demonstration of pushing boundaries. It's what happens when one gets overly experimental with a fragrant spirit. This gin is so intensely floral that you might feel you're sipping a cocktail made from potpourri. "Fragrant" and "perfumy" barely begin to capture its essence. It's gin amplified to the extreme on the botanical and floral spectrum. I've sampled this gin neat, on ice, with various tonics, and in a martini. It's unlike any gin I've encountered before. While it may not be universally easy to like, it is easy to adore. It stands as the most floral gin I've ever experienced. Its complexity, richness, and layered profile necessitate a patient approach to fully appreciate its merits. My wife isn't a fan, but I certainly am! Juniper and coriander are certainly present, but they recede into the background. Rose, chrysanthemum, dendrobium, and pansy dominate the forefront. It's a full-blown garden in bloom, and remarkably, it works. Served neat or on ice, it's a delightful sipper. In a martini with a delicate vermouth, such as Dolin or Noilly Pratt, it unleashes an explosion of springtime on the palate. With soda and a wedge of ruby grapefruit, it transforms into an ideal Sunday brunch cocktail. I tried it with Fever Tree Elderflower tonic, and it was simply too much of a good thing. I advise against that pairing. With Indian tonic and a slice of blood orange, it redeemed itself as a refreshing tall drink. This gin is polarizing. You'll either love it or hate it. There's no middle ground, and that's perfectly acceptable. It presents a powerful flavor profile, vastly different from the norm. It's evident that Ms. Lesley Gracie has moved beyond the predictable and safe, elevating this spirit to a new level. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate its taste an 11 – it's bolder, and therefore, superior. You're unlikely to have two servings in quick succession, but I suspect if you appreciate intensity, you'll enjoy having one occasionally. And I certainly do. My next thought is whether this gin can occupy a space similar to certain liqueurs. It possesses the herbaceous qualities of St. Germain, Benedictine, or Chartreuse but without the sweetness. This gin requires a cocktail crafted to harness its aromatic nature. I'll be exploring this further, and I welcome any ideas you might have! I believe it justifies its $38 price tag, even though I doubt I'll purchase a backup bottle. It's a special release meant to be savored, much like the enjoyment of flowers. To quote W. Somerset Maugham, "Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it." Let's savor it while we can.

My wife has been looking for her own bottle of this after trying it at a local bar, and we finally purchased it a few nights ago. I've personally never been a fan of Hendrick's, as I've found the base spirit itself has certain botanicals that are aggressive and overpowering, with the variations being even further from a traditional gin flavor. However, Hendrick's positions itself as a modern gin and is fully aware of its unique ingredients, so they should not be penalized for that. This variation seems quite intriguing, as there is no list of the specific additional botanicals used anywhere on the bottle or website; instead, they use descriptive terms and leave the flavor profile to the imagination. Based on this, I anticipate a clear and strong presence of flowers or other garden botanicals not found in other comparable modern gins. The aroma indeed displays floral notes alongside a gentle foundation of coriander and juniper. I detect very green, leafy notes of unspecified fresh plants, with an emphasis on roses and lavender. There's a slight ethanol presence, but not enough to make you pull away from the glass. Repeated sniffing reveals subtle notes of lemon and lime zest, and an even fainter hint of raw cacao. The body is quite light, but also rather watery, with immediate tastes of the same roses and lavender found in the aroma, along with some baking spice and fairly mild, approachable juniper. The finish has a dry, perfumed quality, while the body remains light and dissipates quickly. There's a slight tingle on the front of the gums, but not enough to be considered spicy or strong. That same raw cacao emerges through the finish, but with repeated sips, only plain floral notes continue to appear without any specific character. This Hendrick's variation certainly has a discernible flavor uniqueness, but ultimately, its delivery is lacking. It's particularly challenging to present an aggressively floral flavor without specific guidance, which leads the consumer to form their own impressions, and, in my experience, this doesn't quite meet expectations. If you require a gin with these particular floral notes for a specific cocktail, the price point is still quite reasonable. And speaking of cocktails, I find the inclusion of a cocktail recipe directly on the bottle that complements this specific variant to be an excellent touch; this is likely a key factor contributing to a significant portion of sales among those who appreciate spirit-specific cocktails. As for me, I'm hesitant to use it in cocktails, especially with a lot of ice, because the body is already so light and could easily be overpowered by other components or ingredients.

I just created one of the finest cocktails my husband and I have ever tasted using this beautiful gin. The attractive label caught my eye, and as a novice gin enthusiast, I was hopeful it would meet expectations. We both enjoy floral and herbal cocktails, but not excessively sweet ones. I combined it with cranberry juice, blackberry purée, lime juice, a touch of triple sec and simple syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Then, I layered it in highball glasses with chilled club soda. Garnished with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig for visual appeal and scent. The result was a perfectly semi-sweet cocktail. Some have commented that Flora Adora smells like incense. That is precisely the intention. Although it's a limited release, I hope they continue production. I am purchasing extra bottles for the holidays.

An intriguing aroma with prominent juniper, yet softened by a fragrance of dried botanicals and blossoms. A somewhat piquant scent, vaguely evoking a flower shop. On the palate, juniper is subdued, replaced by unexpected citrusy orange notes that lead into the herbal character. Lightly sweet with a distinct floral petal sensation. The overall impact is not overwhelming; instead, the added botanicals lend an elegance uncommon in gins. The finish is extended, with the floral essences persisting. An excellent new spirit, perfect for imaginative craft cocktails.

This is not a subtle drink. It presents with rose water and a variety of other floral notes, followed by a complex blend of other botanicals and spices that are difficult to pinpoint but evoke the experience of walking through a flower shop. If you enjoy floral gins, this is the one for you. The juniper character is significantly understated, which might displease gin purists, but it would be an ideal bottle for creating romantic-themed cocktails.

I adore this brand's full range, and this particular gin is a standout. It lacks the common gin aroma and taste found in Hendrick's, instead offering a powerful floral and rose character. This is a bonus for those seeking a taste of summer, though it might not appeal to individuals averse to "floral" beverages. While I don't usually go for sweet drinks, I can appreciate floral notes. This gin, much like the others from Hendrick's I've sampled, is a definite success.