Monk's Road Dry Gin

I enjoyed Log Still's take on contemporary American gin during my visit to the distillery last week, but it wasn't distinct enough for me to buy. My spouse, however, disagreed, and considering the bottle's low cost, I'm pleased we got it after all. I'm always on the lookout for new modern gins to add to my collection, particularly those with unique botanical compositions that can overcome the harsh, one-dimensional character of London dry gins. It's ironic that England, after dominating global spice trade centuries ago, now underutilizes them. While I don't recall the Monk's Road classic gin being particularly memorable even a week after tasting it, I appreciated the distinctive addition of watermelon as a botanical, though perhaps I need more time with it in my own setting to fully appreciate its flavor. The aroma is quite dry, predominantly featuring juniper, despite the distillery representative's confident assertion that the botanical blend would mitigate the strong juniper presence. It's also very clean, but unfortunately, in a way that resembles cleaning products, with a faint ethanol undertone. There's a moderate scent of lemon and lime zest and oils, coriander, and just a hint of watermelon if you actively search for it. The initial texture is rather thin, with baking spices like coriander and even some cardamom leading the flavor. Subtle floral notes, specifically lilac and lavender, emerge but are very faint. The citrus flavor appears late, as the body becomes slightly warmer, and it's extremely dry, leaving only a sensation of rind and pith. I truly wish I could taste the watermelon, as it's the most unique botanical used, but I suspect any flavor I perceive is merely a psychological effect. Ultimately, my impression remains the same as it was at the distillery: fairly unremarkable and plain, yet a solid introduction to modern/American gin for newcomers. I distinctly recall the barrel-aged version more vividly, but knowing they used a different botanical blend for that one, which better complemented the barrel influence, makes sense why this gin and its specific botanical profile are a sensible choice for their initial and foundational offering. Again, if you're seeking an alternative to London or juniper-forward gins but prefer a gentle transition, this is an excellent starting point, especially given its very accessible price. Hopefully, adding ice or water will bring out more of the citrus and floral notes.