The Tasting Panel magazine

January/February 2012

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Cold River Gin Made in Freeport, Maine from locally sourced potatoes and spring water from an underground aquifer, Cold River has an oily textured body and bal- anced palate with juniper in the lead and zesty citrus and cardamom spice on the finish. SRP: $25.99; supplier: MAINE DISTILLERIES LLC Fifty Pounds London Dry Crafted by centuries old Thames Distillers in London, Fifty Pounds is infused with 11 aromatics and botanicals, three of which are a proprietary secret. After distillation, the spirit is rested for three weeks to allow the flavor of the botanicals to fully integrate. SRP: $33; supplier: SHAW-ROSS INTERNATIONAL IMPORTERS Gabriel Boudier Saffron Infused Gin Based on an artisanal colonial French recipe, this saffron infused entry is made in small batches in a copper pot still. The result is a bold and delectable gin, golden hued and brimming with herbal essence. It's well worth searching for. SRP: $30; supplier: 21ST CENTURY SPIRITS Magellan Iris Flavored Gin The super-premium brand is distilled in small batches from triple- distilled neutral spirits, spring water and 11 sun-dried botanicals. The innovative blend of aromatics includes cloves and deep-blue Iris petals, the latter imbues the gin with a captivating light blue tint. SRP: $29.99; supplier: CRILLLON IMPORTERS CATOCTIN CREEK ORGANIC WATERSHED GIN Launched in 2009, Catoctin Creek Organic Watershed Gin is an artisanal gem made in Virginia by Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. Like all of the spirits in the craft distiller's portfolio, the small batch gin is an organic slice of luxury. "Watershed Gin is a formulation based on our organic rye spirits, with a maceration of ten herbs and spices, including juniper, coriander, anise, cinnamon, and orange peel," says Rebecca Harris, founder and Master Distiller at Catoctin Creek. "The gin is a 'modern style' gin that realizes our expression of the greenness of Loudoun County, where the gin is made." Bottled at 50% alcohol by volume (100 proof), Watershed is a remarkably soft and approachable spirit. It has pristine clarity, a medium-weight body and a generous bouquet of cinnamon, herbs and orange zest with a moderate dose of juniper. The gin quickly fills the mouth with the dry, long- lasting flavors of anise, spearmint, citrus and cinnamon spice. It's a refined, classically structured gin, which despite its elevated alcohol content, is soft and gentle on the palate. Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin enjoys unlimited applica- tions behind the bar. It is at home mixed with a crisp tonic in a chilled cocktail glass with a lemon twist, and can also serve as the base for more complex creations. —R. P. SRP: $38; supplier: CATOCTIN CREEK DISTILLING CO. january/february 2012 / the tasting panel / 95 BEEFEATER 24 LONDON DRY GIN The reason that classic Beefeater London Dry Gin can be found on every backbar throughout the world is that it possesses a captivating aroma, a satiny textured body and a long, dry finish. Recently introduced Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin is every bit as satisfying and then some. Created by Beefeater's renowned master distiller, Desmond Payne, the new release is distilled with a unique blend of 12 hand-selected botanicals, an aromatic mix that also features Seville oranges, grapefruit peels and Chinese green and Japanese sencha teas. The addition of the orange and grapefruit peels to the blend greatly bolsters the citrus component, while the featured teas add an intriguing herbal essence to the spirit that distinguishes it from the field. The gin's name likely refers to the distiller's practice of steeping the botani- cals for 24 hours prior to distillation. It is bottled at an accessible 90 proof. It's hard to imagine the distillery releasing a more impressive line extension—after all, original Beefeater is an impossibly tough act to follow. The gin has ideal clarity, a silky body and a bouquet of juniper, citrus, anise and coriander. The tea flavors can be discerned on the tangy, lingering finish. Few international brands have this kind of handmade quality and character to them. —R. P. SRP: $35; supplier: PERNOD RICARD USA

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