That Boutiquey Gin Ageing Gin

Continuing the experiment: Feb 24th, approximately 3 weeks after adding the oak staves---- It has been about three weeks since I began this experiment for scientific purposes. An oak stave is placed in the gin, and regular sips are taken every 3-4 weeks to observe the oak's effect on the original plain London gin and determine when it reaches its peak. First, the color has changed to a light brown, resembling a watered-down American bourbon. Taste: A slight improvement. I'm detecting a bit more oak flavor, making it more complex than the original plain gin. I'm curious to know at what point this will be at its best.

Experiment concluded. March 3, 2020. Barely a month into the experiment, the gin has developed a fully realized burnt brown / mahogany hue. Much like bourbon. In such a short period...unexpectedly. I sampled it a few times, and it's evident it has passed its peak. It's now intensely woody, bordering on too tannic. Similar to chewing on an oak fragment soaked in acetone. So...the experiment is over...I don't anticipate further improvement. It's all downhill from this point. I believe it reached its zenith around 2.5 weeks. Now, it's simply a drain cleaner...

I'll participate in this experiment by adding the provided wood stave to the gin and observing its evolution. Hypothesis: I anticipate the gin will notably improve with the introduction of the quality Cedar stave over time. Procedure: Conduct a tasting session once a month, taking a few sips. Continue until the bottle is empty or the sips become unpalatable, whichever occurs first. Results: Week 0, February 5, 2020: Before adding the stave: A standard gin flavor – London dry style. It's acceptable, but unremarkable.

Not providing a rating yet—but wanted to create a record. I received this at no cost; it sounds like an interesting trial. They include a small wooden stave, which you place inside the gin bottle. You leave it for as long as you desire to experiment with gin maturation. I will return in a few months to assess the progress of the experiment...