The Tasting Panel magazine

SPRING44 GIN Here's a spirit for those who appreciate taking the road less traveled. Spring44 Gin is handmade by Denver-based Spring44 Distilling Company using Rocky Mountain spring water and many locally sourced botanicals and aromatics. The result is a pristine spirit with a singularly fresh character. "Spring44 Gin is a zesty product with floral and fruity notes. It distin- guishes itself by the unique combination of juniper berries, coriander and agave. And of course the secret ingredient is our water, which comes from a spring a chilling 9,044 feet above sea level," says Spring44 CEO Jeff Lindauer. The gin is distilled five times from a base of corn, rye and wheat and infused with botanicals that include juniper, coriander, nutmeg and agave. After distillation, it is filtered through a virgin coconut husk carbon filtration system to ensure absolute purity and bottled at 80 proof. Spring44 is an unconventional and thoroughly imaginative gin. It's graced with a wafting bouquet of juniper, lavender, jasmine, citrus and spice. Its aromatics alone are worth the price. The gin has a soft, satiny textured body and a largely dry palate marked by the flavors of juniper, grapefruit, herbs and spicy ginger. The minerals from the spring water are readily apparent on the extended finish. —Robert Plotkin SRP: $29.99; supplier: SPRING44 DISTILLING LLC nutmeg and lime are incorporated for a finished product that's built for con- temporary cocktails and connoisseurs. G'Vine Nouaison and G'Vine Floraison are both available. SRP: Nouaison $31; Floraison $33; supplier: DOMAINE SELECT Hendrick's Gin Finding so much trac- tion that it could easily be deemed a modern classic, Hendrick's boast cucmber as its most noted botanical— thanks to their process of mashing the fresh fruit, then PERRY'S TOT AND DOROTHY PARKER AMERICAN GIN ZEPHYR GIN English import Zephyr Black Premium Reserve Gin is a traditional small-batch London dry gin. That said, it is anything but staid and conventional. Made with a base of neutral grain spirits, the gin is redistilled with a singular botanical mix that includes elderflowers and elderberries. These ingredients give the spirit a distinctive touch of sweetness on the finish. Prior to bottling the gin is rendered to 88 proof. Zephyr Black is crystal clear with a lightweight body and a decidedly floral bouquet with savory juniper notes. Its aromatic signature makes an entic- ing first impression. The gin fills the mouth with a dry assortment of flavors dominated by lively citrus, semi-sweet flora and dry juniper. Mixologists will greatly appreciate its wide and diverse palate. The finish is moderate in length and quite smooth. Zephyr Blu Elderberry Flavored Gin is crafted in the same manner as Zephyr Black. After the neutral spirits are redistilled with the botanicals, the spirit is infused with gardenias and sweet elderberries. The additional two botanicals impart a delightfully sweet floral quality to the gin and give the spirit a faint, naturally induced blue color. Zephyr Blu is bottled at 80 proof; the lower alcohol content allows the spirit to luxuriate on the palate longer. "Zephyr Blu's smooth flavor makes it extremely mixable in a variety of cocktails," states Kevin Swadish of importer Sabemos Beverages. —R. P. SRP: Zephyr Blu $29.99, Zephyr Black $34.99; supplier: SABEMOS BEVERAGES 92 / the tasting panel / january/february 2012 Both produced by Allen Katz, Director of Mixology & Spirits Education for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, these new brands will celebrate the old and the new in 2012 and beyond. Perry's Tot—the only navy- strength gin in the U.S.—is named for a historic American naval figure and is meant to reintroduce the gin lover to the 114-proof naval gin, while giving bartenders the over-proof label they've been waiting for. On a more contemporary note, Dorothy Parker American Gin is a unique blend of classic and con- temporary botanicals. In addition to juniper and citrus, it showcases elderberry and hibiscus. SRP: retail TBA; Perry's Tot $24.95 wholesale; Dorothy Parker $23.95 wholesale; supplier: NEW YORK DISTILLING CO.

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