Roots Dry Gin

After arriving off the ferry on the top of the South Island, in the Marlborough region, we picked cherries, then had lunch at a vineyard with wine and a peculiar dessert. Gin and Tonic sorbet was served. They used a local gin called Roots Gin. It was excellent. Later, after a Champagne break at another vineyard, I found myself next to the distillery and sampled three different gins, this being one of them. Distilled in a small 200L copper pot still over 24 hours of activated maceration. Made on-site at the Elemental Distillery in the Marlborough wine region. Ingredients: Juniper, wild-picked (Highlands, Macedonia) Grapefruit ‘Golden Special’ (Gisborne, NZ) Coriander seed (Hawke's Bay, NZ) Motueka hops, organic (Nelson, NZ) Gorse flower, wild-picked (Volunteers, Marlborough, NZ) Kawakawa berries, wild-picked (Kaikoura, NZ) I believe the grapefruit and hops combination with a lemon wedge was what made it perfect for me. I also enjoy East Imperial Grapefruit tonic (made in NZ) with a good gin. I'll have to get a bottle and try them together! Update: I purchased a bottle from the distiller, along with their house-made bitters. The gin is quite good on its own. I'd say it's my second favorite after Method and Madness. Update 2: After my wife and I finished a bottle rapidly (and she previously didn't care much for gin, nor did she like Method and Madness), I have to say this is the best, though I'd be keen to compare it directly!

A very pleasant, juniper-forward, artisanal London Dry style (if that description fits). Served neat, it feels warm and comforting in the mouth; a characteristic I've come to associate with RofR. Anise is noticeable, and while other flavors are present, they eluded specific identification for me, though they were perceptible in aroma and taste.