Príncipe de los Apóstoles Mate Gin

The arrival of spring has put me in the mood for gin, leading me to revisit my collection. This spirit is now in the database, and it's about time, as it is, without a doubt, my preferred gin to date. The reason? Firstly, it possesses a highly distinct character, diverging from the typical juniper-forward London Dry style. This gin charts its own course, emphasizing peppermint, grapefruit, and a pleasingly subtle herbaceousness from the yerba mate. Secondly, few gins I've encountered truly shine without being mixed into a cocktail; this one is smooth and captivating enough to be enjoyed neat over ice. It also creates excellent Campari cocktails and Negronis. While it doesn't pair well with any tonic I've tried, a little club soda and a grapefruit slice make for a bracingly refreshing summer drink. Highly recommended for those interested in excellent gin!

A visit to Buenos Aires inspired a search of the spirits database for local offerings; only one entry exists for Argentina, but it's quite a find. Spotting this at a fancy bar on my final night, I ordered a neat pour over ice and was immediately struck by the orange aromas emanating from the glass. Following the lead of a previous review, my companions and I sipped this neat, which is unusual for gin in our experience. Flavors of mint, cilantro, and cucumber make this smooth spirit worthy of consideration. At just $20 in its country of origin, it's an excellent value that begs to be smuggled home in luggage.

Easily the top Argentinian gin, by a wide margin. It's not typical, as its foundation isn't juniper. It pairs well with cucumber and tonic, but it's also excellent simply on ice. Peppermint and the local "yerba mate" are the dominant elements in this creation.

Unlike a standard gin. I'd say the juniper isn't as bold as in a 'typical' dry gin. Nutty, bready, and well-rounded.

Very striking due to the yerba mate and eucalyptus. Tasty, but only for one serving, no more.

Very minty, yet still special and pleasant. A very good Argentinian gin.