Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Gin Quintessence

Despite not knowing the brand or distillery prior to a visit a few weeks ago, it was surprising to see dozens of people there early in the morning. Consequently, the tour felt crowded. While the fresh whiskey sampled during the tour and for bottle-filling was a neat idea, the final product was still too expensive for its quality. I would have never known about their gin selection, including various types, if I hadn't visited their bar to examine the food and cocktail menu, as it was not mentioned or promoted elsewhere. Having said all that, the food truck offered the best steak sandwich I've ever had. Although I wasn't fond of the spring gin variation, this one performed well as a versatile option and was impressive at 100 proof. At $50 for that proof level, the value seems reasonable, but I question if it remains so several weeks later. This has no color, but visible particles resembling barrel char float within the bottle; it's likely botanicals that bypassed filtration. The aroma is straightforward, clean, and bitter, presenting a drier juniper profile than fresh berries. I anticipated more citrus notes but found none, with only a very faint overall scent of dried citrus peel. Even more distant are hints of coriander and general floral notes, but these are completely dominated by basic and functional juniper, which isn't a negative in this instance. An initial taste of sweet cereal milk is present, with a light body at first. Interestingly, the juniper is much more balanced here than in the aroma, and there's no harsh ethanol taste expected at this proof. All the botanicals are subtly present, except for the citrus, which needs to be more prominent to achieve balance. After a while, a gum-like burn appears, not typical of lower-proof gins, but the finish doesn't develop further flavors, leaving a dry, bitter, and reasonably floral overall impression. There's nothing particularly impressive here, and even less reason to buy it, but in some ways, it's appealing if you just want a straightforward gin without unusual ingredients that still meets the standard of a modern American gin with a rare mid-proof level. It's not ideal for sipping neat and will likely mellow or not change much on ice, but it will mix excellently with juice or tonic, offering standard gin flavors and characteristics without being lost in the drink due to its proof. Is it worth the price? Almost, but not quite. Once this distillery aligns its pricing with the average, budget-conscious spirit drinker (unlike the affluent individuals in casual attire who were mostly present during my visit), I will gladly revisit their gins and unique cask-strength whiskeys.