James Gin Asian Parsnip

The aroma is truly remarkable. I'm not sure I've ever tasted a parsnip, but this scent is reminiscent of something. Imagine walking into a supermarket's produce aisle just as the mist system activates over the root vegetables, with citrus fruits nearby. That's the aroma of this spirit. Bright citrus peel blends with earthy roots like potatoes, carrots, radishes, and, naturally, parsnips. It evokes the feeling of warm sunshine on damp soil. A surprising sweetness hints at the taste. It's not like candy or chocolate, but rather akin to sugary canned yams. Parsnips contribute an earthy flavor, yet there's an interesting peppery spice present. It doesn't tingle the mouth, but it's certainly there, right in the center of the tongue. Citrus, though more prominent in the aroma, plays a lesser role in the taste and is more noticeable at the back. Some ginger adds what could be the 'Asian' component of the Asian Parsnip. The finish turns decidedly dry, and with that, the subtle citrus from the taste transforms into orange pith. The peppery spice remains, but the parsnip imparts an almost umami quality to this spirit. As a devoted whiskey enthusiast, I can't claim to be an expert on all things Gin. However, I do know what my palate enjoys, and it thoroughly enjoys this. It's complex, earthy, peppery, and citrusy – it really covers a wide spectrum of flavors. One of the presenters has mentioned repeatedly that this would be a limited production item. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying this: Presenter. Please continue to produce this wonderful Gin. And for goodness sake, make it available in more locations in the US. (As if they would ever read my humble review, of course).

I'm still developing my gin preferences, but I must say, this is delightful! My first experience with gin was a gifted bottle of Suntory Roku, which I adored. From what I've gathered, Roku is considered a versatile gin suitable for various ways of drinking. I personally prefer it neat. With that said, Roku has become my benchmark, so please consider this review in that context. Someone known for his discerning taste in many areas, including gin, launched his own line of gin, which generated excitement. Sophistication and preservation are reputed to be among his key principles, and I anticipated these qualities would be central to his gin's creation. Tasting was conducted neat. This gin offers several flavors, but the most prominent are a subtle sweetness, parsnip, pepper, orange, and alcohol. My palate perceives these flavors in descending order of intensity. The sweetness is the initial sensation, not intensely sweet like pure sugar, but akin to the natural sweetness of a perfectly ripe orange. The parsnip then emerges as the sweetness fades. Following that, the pepper appears almost immediately, but not overwhelmingly. The finish is dry, with notes of orange and spice, and lingering alcohol. The nose evokes the scent of freshly gathered vegetables and fruits, as if just rinsed at a high-end market or farm stand. It's comforting and pleasant. Overall, it strikes me as exceptionally well-balanced and complete. It surpasses Roku for me because this gin is less alcohol-forward and slightly sweeter. It's disappointing that it's so difficult to find in the United States, but I will be acquiring a bottle whenever possible. Cheers!

A satisfying spicy flavor with a sweet, parsnip-like (?) finish.

Pairs well with ekobryggeriets neutral tonic.

It's solid, with a lot happening.