Liberator Gin

Rating: 19/23 Nose: Intriguing spicy and sweet notes with clear herbal characteristics. It's slightly bitter and oily with a pleasant earthiness that isn't excessively vegetal. The nose has nice nuance and depth. While not amazing, I do enjoy it. Palate: A pleasant, fairly full gin profile with cinnamon and perhaps orris root. There's a good balance of spice and bitter herbs, with a richness that is sweet but not cloying. This is a really nice profile. It's unusual for a gin, but not too extreme, and it's tasty and balanced with good richness and depth. This offers a rich, full, balanced hint of indulgence. It's certainly different from a standard dry gin, but it's a nice variation that is decadent and not as outlandish as many others I could mention. Finish: Bitter, herbal, cinnamon roots, and some other lingering spices. It's bold and long-lasting. It's tasty and balanced with good length. - Conclusion - The more I taste, the less dry it seems, but the more decadent and balanced it becomes. There's a lot going on here, and I really like it. It's not the most traditional gin, nor the most unique, but it's a pleasant variation that fits somewhere in between. And it's executed very well. This is easily a 15, and I suspect it's higher. Revisiting this, I'm impressed by the complexity and balance. This is a very peculiar gin profile, yet it's not jarring at all. I thought the low proof might be an issue, but the flavor is rich enough that it isn't. Now I'm questioning how I could have rated it as low as a 15. This is great. It's at least a 16, and I can imagine an 18. A 19? Well, Ransom Old Tom Gin (19/23) is sweeter with hints of vanillin and oak, but this has remarkable mellowness and balance. Honestly, this is really impressing me. There's no way this is below a 17. I'm seriously impressed. I'm thinking an 18 or 19, and I can genuinely see a 20. A 21? I don't think so. Still, these are incredibly high scores for a gin. I'm frankly shocked given the low proof. This rivals Monkey 47 (18/23). That is to say, this is competing for the title of best gin I've ever tried. This, Monkey, and Ransom. Wow. I really didn't expect this, but I'm so glad it's such an amazing hidden gem. I think the Monkey might be slightly better, but I've been considering for a while that I underrated it and it should have been a 19. So, I believe this is better than Ransom, but not quite as good as Monkey. That conclusion points strongly to a 19, so I'm settling on a 19. What a brilliant gin! After more side-by-side comparisons, the three seem quite similar. It's a very difficult decision. I suppose a 19 for all of them is quite fitting. I look forward to the day I discover a gin clearly superior to them, worthy of at least a 20. This is just so mellow, decadent, and interesting. I love it. Oh, wow – that last sip tasted better than Monkey. Could this actually be a 20? I think I'm getting ahead of myself, but I definitely need to re-evaluate this at some point. This is simply amazing. What a find! If I had to rank my top three right now, they would be: 1. Valentine Distilling Liberator Gin 2. Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin 3. Ransom Old Tom Gin This is frankly a shocking outcome. Perhaps this should be a 20. Maybe even a 21? I doubt the latter, but the former seems increasingly probable. Recent side-by-side tastings place New Riff Kentucky Wild Gin behind this, although the New Riff is still clearly a great gin. I'm sticking with a 19 for now, but I may adjust that on my next tasting.

Very floral and light. Sweet. Interesting. I'm uncertain about its suitability for martinis, as careful consideration of the vermouth choice is needed. This is very much a "New American" style gin that highlights complex yet light florals and delicate fruits, while downplaying juniper. It contains 13 botanicals.

A very lovely tasting experience, floral and wonderful and very smooth, I would enjoy it again.

This gin is highly botanical and has an earthy character. It leaves a hint of cinnamon on the palate.

Floral notes, with less pine intensity than typical gin. Truly distinctive!

Gross. Tastes like cilantro and bleach.