St. George Terroir Gin

I appreciate craft distilleries that offer 200ml bottles, as it's sufficient for a few tries and varied preparations without the financial commitment of a 750ml bottle, and they are consistently more aesthetically pleasing than 375ml bottles. That aspect alone is a nice feature, along with any distillery that produces multiple gin varieties, let alone the concept of combining them into an efficient tasting kit. I have sampled all three of these gins previously but did not rate them, and it was long enough ago that I cannot recall my favorite (though I remember it wasn't the dry rye, red label). Regardless, the botanicals here seem exceptionally unique, and I admire the distinct distillation processes employed. I anticipate an experience that is dry, perfumed, and earthy, allowing me to envision California forests without actually visiting our nation's least desirable state. The nose is definitely led by fir tree (both needles and bark), along with some earthy spices (such as cardamom and even some allspice), cracked, dry juniper, lemon-scented cleaning products, and an overall floral background note. The alcohol content here is just enough to prevent a watery perception but not so much as to cause significant burning. The taste begins with a hint of floral pine, but swiftly transitions to lemon, initially perceived as a cleaning agent, then evolving into a sweet, almost candied marmalade. A general sweet maltiness dominates most of the flavor thereafter, with a note reminiscent of an assorted rose garden rather than anything dry or pine/fir related. The alcohol level increases slightly, but as with the aroma, it's just enough to indicate it's not 80 proof, without providing much more than that. Subsequent sips transform the sweet citrus into a more generalized blend of artificial fruit flavors. A straightforward gin warrants a straightforward review (relatively speaking). I'm not enthusiastic about this, nor do I find it particularly distinctive enough to actively seek out or even order. However, I do find it to be considerably sweeter than anticipated, and in that regard, noticeably sweeter tasting than many other gins on the market, without possessing a thicker, syrupy, sugary texture. It's fairly plain and even somewhat uninteresting, but with several other gins from this distillery for comparison, that itself makes for an enjoyable experiment.

This gin is certainly distinctive and captivating. The bottle's description suggests enjoying it neat and feeling transported, which seems fitting. The scent is dominated by Douglas fir, with sage underneath, and a touch of honey-like sweetness that blends the natural setting with a sense of human touch. The nose is quite 'thick,' featuring many unexpected, plant-based components that are leafy, rich, and deep rather than the usual herbal or floral notes. It truly evokes the feeling of being in a forest or a secluded cabin. The fir flavor persists on the palate, offering a piney taste, and the sweetness continues as well. It's a comforting flavor that reminds me of holidays. The finish is rather extended, still emphasizing fir with a hint of spice. Juniper isn't particularly noticeable, though it's easy to imagine it hidden among the other forest-like elements. My first impression was that I enjoyed the aroma but found the taste a bit too bitter. However, with later tastings, I've come to appreciate it more. I'm someone who often drinks gin straight, and this one is robust enough for that enjoyment. I sampled this in a St. George gin variety pack, but I would consider purchasing a larger bottle for around $30, which appears to be the typical price. Its darker character is quite unlike other gins I've encountered and might not appeal to all palates, but I believe it merits consideration.

Nose: Pine needles, cypress sprigs, casuarina needles, sage, thyme, bay leaf, cassia bark, freshly cut fir and cedar wood planks. It has an astonishingly herbal and coniferous scent, much like the aromas found in a pine plantation. (Interestingly, the aroma from the dry glass loses most of the pine notes and becomes strongly lavender and rose, similar to their Botanivore gin). Palate: Pine resin. Bay leaf. Sage. Finish: Medium to long. Sweet pine resin tastes that persist into the aftertaste. Extremely distinctive. You will either enjoy this immensely or dislike it completely. The nose is so intensely piney it's almost unbelievable, and that character is directly reflected in the palate. I kept thinking I was drinking a pine-tree resin liqueur; it's that piney, to the point of being exaggerated. With tonic, it tasted like the original gin with a thin layer of tonic on top. There was no real integration, which is unusual given how well the stablemate Botanivore gin combines with tonic. It's not to my personal taste, but I can understand its appeal, and the distillery deserves commendation for taking a risk on something unconventional. It's reasonable to assign a rating anywhere from 75 to 90 points, depending on how well it suits your palate, but the quality of the distillation is undeniably high. "Average": 75/100 (2.5 stars)

At first, I wasn't very fond of this gin. Working at a paint store, my immediate thought with every sip was, 'this is pure turpentine.' However, after a short while, the initial impact of pine resin subsided, allowing me to discover the various botanicals hidden underneath. It's still very woody, but you catch hints of the volatile oils from sage and bay laurel—particularly the sage as the other botanicals fade. I recall taking field biology courses in college, involving hikes around the Bay Area where we sampled local plants like bay laurel, manzanita berry, huckleberry, and black sage. This gin brings back memories of those outings, but the initial turpentine shock on my tongue remains difficult to overcome. I'm glad I have a small bottle, as this won't be my regular choice. It's good to have experienced something so far removed from the ordinary, but it's just a bit too intense for me to handle all at once.

I was always intrigued by this gin. I admire St. George for their Single Malt releases; those yearly offerings sell out instantly. Given the name "Terroir," I knew what to anticipate – a taste of the California landscape and woods. I had a romantic idea of a hike through a northwestern pine forest, shrouded in moss and mist. Indeed...it embodies the taste of terroir...but it's sage. And I'm not fond of sage...it's just a personal preference. Based on the other reviews, I'm clearly in the minority. So, please don't let my aversion to sage reflect negatively on this gin. Thanks to a friend for the sample!

The pine and sage are standout elements in this robust gin, which has significant body and is ideal if you're avoiding citrus. While not a primary gin for everyone's collection, it's an engaging option for any gin enthusiast. For cocktails, skillful preparation is key. This is not a London Dry, nor does it aim to be. By omitting citrus entirely, it reveals a spicy, herbaceous character not found in traditional gins. I suggest combining 40ml of this gin with 20ml of a rich sweet vermouth and 20ml of Averna, garnished with expressed orange zest, for a complex and rewarding alternative to a negroni.