Malfy Gin Originale

I appreciate the bottle's artwork, label, and colors for this gin, which prompted me to try a 50ml bottle. A good gin should have both a significant amount of juniper and a well-balanced blend of botanicals. It's quite rare to find a gin that excels at both, but when it does one or the other, it's usually the botanicals, with weak juniper. Knowing this one is strong on juniper with few botanicals is intriguing and somewhat uncommon, so I'm eager to explore it. Juniper and lemon peel are immediately apparent on the nose, but the juniper isn't overwhelming. There's also a distinct floral aroma, though no specific notes are identifiable. A subtle cereal note is the first flavor I detect, alongside the floral scent, all carried by a robust lemon peel and oil flavor. The juniper is present, but actually a little weak. The finish is weak, watery, and sweet, though a very slight ethanol burn helps to mitigate this. The floral notes are accurate, but one would only describe this as a "juniper-heavy" gin if they had no prior experience with gin. The juniper is noticeable in this gin because there are so few ingredients; this distillery appears to value regional and national ingredient quality, suggesting a focus on quality over quantity. While it does possess a quality taste, it significantly lacks in many areas (low proof, low botanical count, low juniper amount, etc.), so unless you were collecting gins from around the world, there's nothing particularly remarkable about this one.

Nose: Aromatic, zesty lemon, reminiscent of lemon sherbet. Sweet orange and gentle juniper. Palate: Smooth and sweet upon entry, with citrus being the primary flavor over the essential juniper. This continues through the palate, though peppery juniper notes emerge later. The texture is velvety and slick. Finish: Medium length. Smooth and mild without any bitterness. This gin emphasizes citrus but not to the point of being just a "lemon-flavored" gin. It doesn't offer a particularly complex profile, but its straightforward character is subtle and charming. It's enjoyable to drink neat over ice and makes an excellently refreshing gin and tonic, though I personally prefer a citrus-forward gin for that drink. For a martini, I would opt for something with a more classic, juniper-forward profile. I would purchase this if I were looking for a light, fruity gin for summer beverages, but there are several other brands in this category that are equally good. Tasted from a 50ml sample in a pack of four different Malfy gins. “Very Good”: 85/100 (4 stars)

Overall very light, with slight juniper and lemon notes, feeling somewhat one-dimensional compared to the much more lemon-forward Malfy Gin con Limone. Perfect for summer, dangerously easy to drink.

This gin is harsh; the citrus expression is reportedly superior, but I find this particular gin to be quite poor. Its intensity and solvent-like flavor are overwhelming. It's a shame because the presentation is nice.

Very lemon-forward, as one might anticipate from the Amalfi region. It still retains its juniper character, but the citrus is the main feature.

A decent gin, though not groundbreaking or particularly intricate in its taste. It's smooth and offers good value.