Uncle Val's Botanical Gin

Rating: 10/23 Nose: Floral, lemon candies, cucumber. What's happening here?! This nose is quite unusual with bold aromas and significant sweetness. Where is the juniper? I detect some alcohol and a prickly spice. Also, a hint of dry leaves. Palate: Cucumber, lemon candies. Something richer with more umami than the nose indicated. A touch of bitterness, but only a faint hint of juniper. It's sweet, though perhaps not as sweet as the nose suggested. I do notice some alcohol bite and a prickly, dry-earthy spice. Finish: A finish of lemon candies with a bit of earthy umami bitterness. The umami is more akin to rendered fat than rich, savory meat. A slight vegetal note, which is the lingering cucumber. - Conclusion - This is peculiar. Too peculiar. Challenging. I'm not a fan. I will acknowledge its consistency, however. There's an excessive amount of cucumber here, and the citrus profile is too intense. It's strange, not smooth, and unbalanced. I don't have many other gins on hand, but The Botanist (16/23) is significantly better. This is very odd. It's challenging. Is it inherently bad? No. But it lacks balance and complexity. And it stings a little. A score of 13 is too high for this. Is it as low as a 7? No. So, between an 8 and a 12. Unfortunately, I'm short on spirits in that range to make a direct comparison. Ford's (15/23) has a slight bite but is considerably more complex and balanced than this, as well as more traditional. My previous impression of this is confirmed. What do I even do with something so strange? And it stings my throat slightly. I think I'm deciding between a 9 and a 10. Wheatley (14/23) has a spicy burn that I find comparable to this, but it possesses a more cohesive profile with some full wheat sweetness. It does have more of an alcohol flavor, though. This is somewhat more enjoyable, but stranger. I believe Wheatley is a substantially superior product. However, the difference is less than I anticipated, so I'm giving this a 10. This offers terrible value, and I cannot imagine myself purchasing another spirit from this company. What a profound disappointment.

Bourbon Enthusiast Explores Gin: Part 5 Previous: Bols Genever Next, 1/6/25: Monkey 47 Dry Gin >>>~~~~~~~~~~<<< My experience with gins is limited, and it's been a long time since my last try. I'm not very familiar with the terminology or flavor profiles used to describe gin. The gap between my perception of gin and true excellence is small. Please keep this in mind. I am a bourbon fan attempting to appreciate gin. Many thanks to a friend for the sample! >>>~~~~~~~~~~<<< Nose: Floral notes with orange, rose, lemon, and watermelon. Very subtle pine. Palate: Roses and lemon. Straightforward, but clean. Wow! The finish is complex. It shifts during a lemon burst into fresh florals, orange, watermelon, and a soapy sensation and texture that I don't particularly enjoy. It reminds me of hotel bar soap. Not the premium kind. While it might feel gentle on your skin as you wash your hands, it's ultimately forgettable, and you wouldn't consider taking the one by the sink that's still in its cardboard packaging. Overall: One minor flaw, many excellent elements. This tastes fresh. The watermelon is wonderful and revitalizing. It's almost crisp enough to be a thirst quencher. Beyond that, it's intriguing.

Honestly, gin isn't really my preference, but my wife enjoys it, so after some research, I chose this one for her. We visited the Beefeater distillery in London during our trip to the city, and this gin is clearly superior to that one. The botanicals are well integrated, and the multiple distillations result in a very smooth quality on the palate with no harshness. It's easy to drink neat, but it was even better in cocktails. I'm interested to discover how this gin would taste after aging in ex-bourbon casks for a few months!

It took me a considerable amount of time to appreciate this gin. The aroma and flavor are quite intense; cucumber is the dominant element for me, overshadowing everything else, and it's not a profile I favor. I found it improved somewhat with the addition of tonic and lime juice to soften it. It's still not a favorite, but if you enjoy that particular flavor, you'll likely find it excellent. I acknowledge its quality even though it's not to my personal taste.

Amazing. Aroma: prominent cucumber, followed by citrus, spice (coriander? peppercorns?), and naturally, juniper. Taste: exceptionally smooth, with layers of flavor. The initial sip is light, then spice, juniper, and cucumber appear, with a hint of bitterness and a long, citrusy finish. It develops nicely in a gin and tonic without losing the cucumber essence. A truly wonderful gin for springtime.

Amazing, I never imagined I could enjoy gin until trying Uncle Val's Botanical Gin. While nothing can supplant Ketel One for me, this gin holds its own. The lemon citrus notes are a perfect addition to our usual vodka, soda, and lime beverage.