Loch "The Weaver" Gin

Nose: Mildly piney, with notes of orange citrus, juniper, and a resinous scent precisely like Friar's Balsam (which is fitting here). It also has underlying spicy notes of cumin, cardamom, and paprika. Palate: Starts fresh and crisp, then warm and deep spices emerge, leading to a robust, substantial development that emphasizes juniper. The texture is full, and it has a rich, velvety mouthfeel. Sweet and slightly licorice flavors appear, but juniper and smoky orange remain the focus. Finish: Extended. Heavy, creamy, and savory. The Weaver gin is made by Loch Brewery & Distillery, situated in Loch, Victoria. This small artisan distillery is operated by a couple who also produce English-style ales and are currently aging their initial whisky run as of 2018. The Weaver possesses a very thick and rich character for a gin. Its aroma is not light and bright at all; the scents are deep and smoldering, derived from juniper, nutmeg, cassia, mace, coriander, anise myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, strawberry gum, and wattleseed. When consumed neat, the high alcohol content and strong flavor can be a bit overwhelming, but it is delightful on ice by itself. It performs wonderfully as a mixer. It makes an exceptional G&T, where its strong character balances the bitterness of quinine, nearly masking it. I recommend trying this in a G&T with Schweppes tonic water – it's a richer and sweeter tonic than Fever Tree (some might call it harsher), but it's a solid match for this bold gin, and remarkably, this powerful combination creates a fragrant, almost floral aroma of rose and lavender that is quite striking. This is among the finest gins I've encountered. It's a top-tier product, and the price reflects that, but it offers excellent value.