Stone Pine Decade Dry Gin

A tasting of gin from The Oak Barrel in Sydney on November 7th, 2018. This was the fifth gin. Nose: Very full and rich, with prominent warm, sweet juniper notes. Hints of citrus zest and anise. Palate: A big, bright citrus flavor on the initial taste, followed by significant licorice and juniper as it develops. A resinous, piney quality and strong lime zest and salt appear as it transitions to the finish. Finish: Medium length. Salty and bitter-sour with citrus oil characteristics. This gin was created for the distillery's tenth anniversary, hence its name, Decade. It presents an unusual profile, leaning heavily on juniper and incorporating saltbush and pink finger lime in its botanicals. Finger lime is a native Australian citrus fruit, roughly the size of a small cucumber, with an interior resembling cooked sago. It has a distinct and fine citrus taste. Saltbush is a desert shrub that thrives in highly saline environments and accumulates salt in its leaves. The overall profile is substantial, robust, and powerful. The relatively high alcohol content conveys the spirit’s character with unwavering conviction! I found it a bit overwhelming when consumed neat, but with ice and tonic, it produced a very full-flavored beverage with noticeable woody notes and a slightly peculiar citrine aroma. It was interesting, but not compelling. "Average" score: 78/100 (2.75 stars).