The Botanist Distiller's Strength

I can't believe I was fooled by this one. I noticed it was 100 proof at the store, and considering most gins are bottled between 80-85, this is a decent improvement, though not even close to navy strength, which is likely why they used the term "distiller's strength." Now that I know this is only a minor increase of 4% ABV compared to the original, with no other changes, it's safe to assume this distiller is either very weak or should be demoted, especially since the label boldly claims 100 proof as "full strength." I expect little to no noticeable difference, but at least it's good that I don't recall the taste of classic Botanist, so it feels somewhat new to me. The nose is very clean and full of fresh citrus oil, along with a general mix of slightly sweet berries, but much less prominent than the citrus. The juniper is moderate with a touch of spicy herbaceous notes, and the slight increase in ethanol still allows it to be approachable, just bordering on a nasal burn. The flavor starts with basic, somewhat soft juniper combined with a hint of cassis and bark, then transitions to some citrus oil (primarily lemon, but a little grapefruit is also detected), along with artificial mixed berry flavor and even a milky quality. The heat builds over time, spreading across the gums to create a noticeable warm sensation, but still firmly in the medium range. The finish is mainly felt in the gums, but that same milky note from before becomes sweet yet also slightly astringent, resulting in a less pleasant finish than the beginning. Overall, this is a straightforward gin that doesn't emphasize any particular aspect, which, given the 22 botanicals used, could be viewed positively as well-rounded and blended, or negatively as a missed opportunity (as I see it). I didn't check the price, but if it was MSRP, it's definitely not worth it, even though finding gins at or above 100 proof is rare on the market (let alone navy strength). I'll credit Bruichladdich for making excellent whisky, but this seems like an obvious, unaged quick money grab, and is almost shameful. The website even features a traveler-exclusive "Herbridean Strength" edition, whose description (or lack thereof) suggests the only difference is a minuscule 1.5% increase (totaling 103 proof), which I sincerely hope I'm misinterpreting, though I fear I am not.

This tastes exactly like the standard Botanist. If you like the original, you'll enjoy this. However, if you're expecting a change, like the difference between Tanqueray and Tanqueray 10, you won't find it here. It seems to me that the whole line has declined a bit over the last few years. The citrus notes are much less prominent, and the rich, almost oily mouthfeel is gone. I still like it, but it's only suitable for martinis now, and both Tanqueray and Beefeater already serve that purpose well without the higher cost.