Voyager Gin

Score: 16/23 N: Oily, full, herbal, vegetal, and a touch spicy. It's a blend of everything. Some juniper is present, but not strong. A bit papery, but not much. The remaining botanicals range from bitter to savory to sweet. Occasional fruit notes appear. The complexity is good. The balance is unconventional, but effective. P: This falls between Plymouth and St. George Botanivore. It has an interesting funk, but it's subdued. It's herbal, somewhat sweet with a vegetal undertone, oily, and a little spicy. It's also more savory than most gins. There's a lot happening, and it's intriguing to explore. Individual botanical and spice flavors can be discerned, though pinpointing them is difficult. Sometimes, I detect fruit like orange and lemon. Licorice is also noticeable at one point. Juniper is present, as is coriander, which is expected. The source of the savory quality is unclear, but it adds a unique twist. It's very complex and balanced, though the pronounced flavors are somewhat intense. F: More bitter and numbing than anticipated. A substantial vegetal character is also present. It's less oily than the palate, and the fruit notes are mostly gone. It's not bad, but lacks the complexity I prefer. A touch more juniper bitterness lingers in the long finish. - Conclusion - This is a fascinating gin. It's more complex than Plymouth or Ford's, approaching St. George Botanivore's level. While not necessarily ideal for cocktails, it's enjoyable on its own. It's a demanding gin that might not appeal to everyone, but I find it quite pleasing. I'm leaning towards a 16, though a 17 is certainly possible. I appreciate the depth and character. Comparing it to tequila, it shares similarities with Cabeza, offering robust flavors that are mostly balanced but a bit rough rather than smooth and refined. It's a difficult and unusual comparison, but I believe Cabeza might be slightly superior. Given that Cabeza is borderline between a 16 and 17, this suggests a very high 16 for this gin.

The aroma is fragrant with spices, herbs, citrus, and salt, presenting a complex profile. It possesses a surprisingly rich umami quality, evoking a roast meat essence that is incredibly appetizing. The taste is clean and well-rounded, with a complexity that encourages further sampling. Lemon notes emerge alongside pleasant salt and pepper, with subtle hints of fennel, juniper, chamomile, and coriander. Every element is very good, and the balance is superb. This is a remarkable illustration of gin's potential. While distinct from typical gin, it bears a slight resemblance to a certain well-known brand with its umami and rye characteristics, but it stands as an excellent example of fine gin. It can become somewhat repetitive with continued consumption, yet it remains a model of gin excellence. The scent carries a faint aroma reminiscent of unaged rhum agricole, combined with an oily texture. It clearly smells of coriander and juniper, perhaps with the faintest hint of citrus. The palate is oily and intricate (yet distinct), with a slightly sharp spiciness mingled with subtle squash notes, a touch of nutty oil, smooth chamomile, mild sweetness, a hint of coriander, and dry juniper. It offers a smooth flavor akin to diluted standard gin, but with greater complexity and a wider array of botanicals. This is an unusual and delightful gin. Its slightly vegetal character can be peculiar, but it lacks any squash flavor and predominantly tastes of an oily medley of distinct botanicals.