Leopold's Navy Strength American Gin

Rating: 15/23 N: Juniper is present, alongside a very vegetal character reminiscent of carrots. I suspect other elements are there, but the dominant notes are juniper and carrots. Perhaps a touch of lemon and juniper. P: The palate is more tart and has more character than the nose. The carrot flavor is distinct, complemented by more pronounced lemon, a dash of orange zest, and faint tannic tea (coriander?). Juniper is also present, naturally. It has a pleasant sweetness, but it's not overwhelming. Light floral and fruity notes appear and disappear. While I'd like to commend the balance, the carrot flavor is a bit too prominent. Complexity could also be improved. Water enhances complexity and introduces more spices, but surprisingly, it also adds heat. Aside from this heat, the alcohol is not prominent; its flavor is minimal. F: The carrot becomes more bitter, followed by additional juniper notes. Some herbal and spicy fullness remains, but specifics are difficult to discern. - Conclusion - This isn't a typical gin. Despite being navy strength, it possesses floral and somewhat vegetal (carrot?) qualities. However, it has a clean flavor profile with abundant juniper. It leans towards the dry, clean side, making it a suitable choice for most mixed drinks. A little water brings out more fruit and herbal flavors, increasing complexity. The vegetal notes persist, giving it a slightly funky character, though not excessively so. After some consideration, I identified the vegetal note as woody carrot, accompanied by substantial juniper. I desire a richer, less aggressive profile, perhaps akin to Plymouth. The carrot flavor is also peculiar; while acceptable, it's not a preferred taste. This gin is more assertive than Ford's. While the intended character seems more realized here, the balance is less cohesive, and it presents a more challenging experience. It's significantly better than Sipsmith, but that's a low bar. It's acceptable, but I likely wouldn't purchase another bottle. Pacific Voyager surpasses this, although their profiles differ, making a direct comparison difficult. Ultimately, there's a solid gin foundation here. The issue lies with the unusual bitter carrot flavor, which seems misplaced. Upon reviewing the ingredients, I believe this stems from a combination of bergamot and orris root, which appear to have been poorly chosen in these specific proportions. Comparing it to Plymouth, I would likely choose this one, though they are quite close. It's also comparable to Ford's. However, Pacific Voyager is superior. I'm assigning a score of 15. I considered a range from a high 14 to a low 16, so 15 feels appropriate. This score might increase to 16 if the bitter carrot flavor becomes less bothersome. For general mixing, Ford's or Plymouth might be preferable. For a drink requiring a more interesting, refreshing character with an added kick, this could be a good option.

Sampled in a Gin and Tonic, prepared with Fever Tree Refreshingly Light Indian Tonic. Garnished with a small lime wedge, its oils rubbed on the glass rim, and a splash of lime juice. Initial impression: bold flavor, with the gin's bergamot orange and juniper prominently featured in the mid-palate and finish. The lime garnish seems to integrate better with the gin's flavors over time as the drink settles. However, an orange peel garnish might create a superior flavor combination. The gin's Navy Strength proof allows it to stand out effectively in a good cocktail. I would also suggest trying it in a Negroni with an orange wedge for a more prominent gin presence. Recommended.

This gin is amazing; it's the only one I've ever had that I could drink neat. The flavor is truly remarkable.

Some alcohol scent. Juniper dominant, a bit of citrus. Strong bergamot on the finish. Quite drinkable given the alcohol level.

Incredibly good. Very potent. Not excessively juniper-forward! It's like a massive floral explosion with an incendiary charge!

I've sampled a great deal of gin; this is my absolute top choice.