Heres everything you need to know about one of the most important flavors in your liquor cabinet: We hope that we have answered all your questions about which gin is made with the most juniper berries and what makes a gin taste good. . The couple drawbacks of the product while not serious concerns for casual gin and juice fans are deal breakers for those who sip their gin neat or prepare it simply in things like a Martini. Except for the occasional grammatical errors, I found this to be lovely writing. Good gawdI wish I had seen this before I bought the colossal-sized bottle. An instant cucumber martini to pour straight into your chilled martini glass kept beside the infuser in the freezer! Have you been drinking lighter fuel to compare? Her biological expertise comes in handy especially when foraging the wild junipers for District Distilling Co.s award-winning gins. wont buy again. Gin is a liquor that gets both its name and flavor from juniper berries and is one of the most versatile spirits in the world today. With 22 juniper berries being used in every bottle, it is safe to say that Beefeater London Dry Gin has the most juniper of all brands. I found it patently uninteresting. Perky citrus, a smidge of lemon oil, candied orange rinds, orange slice candy, and an interesting lime/orange shift right in the mids. On its own, it doesnt stack up to Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire (sometimes I buy Burnetts, my budget favorite), but there is nothing offensive about it. However over time, Im enjoying it less Im starting to find it a little bit cloying. I dont take a chance with anything else. Step 2: Add juniper berries, cardamom pods, coriander seeds, a few dehydrated orange slices, and lemon peel. The palate is a citrus bomb however. If you want a gin with an especially pronounced citrus note, try Tanqueray Malacca. It was one of the most refreshing and clean tasting tastes I had since Summer. In the United States, gin is a distilled alcohol that must be no less than 80 proof (40% alcohol) and have the distinct flavor of juniper berries.. Im going to put some of the New Amsterdam in a container and drop in a few juniper berries from the yard. Juniper berries contain polyphenolic compounds known as bioflavonoids, or flavonoids. At my stage in life I can afford to drink any gin I want to but I am also a scots man! The G & T to my surprise seems good, not great or marvelous. You can easily use this gin in all of your favorite gin-based drinks, whether thats a mix or just a glass served neatly! But fake citrus is not a flavor I particularly like in my cocktails or drinks. Instead of purely citrus, Hadley and Sons from the United States also borrow its taste from fresh cucumber. Good with seltzer and lime, lime Perrier, or ginger ale. The nose ofNew Amsterdam Gin is immediately recognizable as citrus-forward. Citrus, nuts . A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers.It is not a true berry, but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which gives it a berry-like appearance. 2 New American or Western Gin: Named after the region it started, these gins are now made everywhere in the world. All Rights Reserved. Why is that? https://theginisin.com/gin-reviews/st-george-terroir/. So, if you drink gin every night instead of red wine, at least youll be less likely to aggravate your allergies via alcohol. We both loved it, very different but very drinkable with a slice of lemon and not too much tonic. I like New Amsterdam and I suspect if it were three times the price the gin snobs would be raving. Typically made in a craft distillery, the juniper flavor takes a backseat to citrus notes. These dark blueberries grow in many parts of the world, and their aroma is pine-like and spicy. Will not be buying it any more! Hern, too, has a new release: Slow Sloe Gin is a sloe gin aged in juniper wood casks for four months. It could be better, and many gins have done well going full-force with the orange note. 2023 New Amsterdam Spirits Company, Modesto, CA. Brut Gin 33. Juniper is an afterthought, but thats not really this gins primary issue. After this bottle, Ill try one of the other citrus-forwards you mentioned in the original NewAm review. I really enjoy this gin. It isnot the same product as the original. Too much sun or heat would cause them to lose their flavourful essential oils, and a damp environment could invite mould. Jusr tried this product and it really doesnt taste like gin to me. Berry gins have become a well-loved branch of the spirit, with blackberry, blueberry, rhubarb and raspberry flavours filling our virtual shelves here at ILoveGin. There are over 45 different types of juniper. I love, love, love Hendricks, and always have a bottle in my private reserve. Miss the old rum and coke from my younger days due to all colas now having high fructose syrup period, period, period. (Take that, tequila, lol). Final Thoughts. Durham Distillery also make great use of the spice, as does Whittakers with its Pink Particular Gin. Bitter orange early with some sweet, spice facets as well. Top off your evening with a top-notch cocktail. The gins that New Amsterdam Gin most closely reminds me of are Asian gins such as Myanmar Dry Gin. Its slightly better than the uber cheapo stuff you see on the bottom shelf, or the crap you catch less than honest bartenders using as well booze. I can respect that appreciation too. But dont point out the obvious and call it a flaw. . Ive always found it amusing that the place your beverage, automobile, motorcycle, tourist-trap or what-have-you snobs always have to try to polarize the rest of the public into thinking that somehow, thou art better than I. New Amsterdam serves my palate just fine. You want gin distilled with real juniper berries. Its fine in a G&T. Aromatically, its not too bad; however, there still seems to be notes of just straight up ethanol. I have learned that Gin is an acquired taste which I am kind of new to. To each, his or her own, and enjoy the moment. Plus, this month Im on a tight budget. The original was a bit nasty. Many others. Used for centuries as an topical antiseptic, juniper berries can also help fight off coughs and lung congestion. What, specifically, do you think is better than this for $15.00?s. Ben I completely understand. Aside from the core use of juniper berries, sweet potato, aronia berries . It did not disappoint! Have tried all the gins, and of course, some are spectacular, but none do the trick day in and day out like New Amsterdam. In the sub $20 gin category, it is the most contemporary gin available. Definitely, not something gin should have. Like gin, juniper is an obligatory ingredient for genever but in general, genevers contain less juniper than gin. It does work somewhat better in aDirty Martinior aGin and Flavored Tonic. Too many others are like drinking Pine-Sol. If you agree I recommend purchasing an infuser that gives plenty of room for the item to be infused with a strainer just before the pour spout. . Too sweet, metallic, and lime makes it worse. Concluding, New Amsterdam Gin isnt a below-average gin because of its citrus flavor. Yes, juniper berries are one of the primary botanicals used to flavour gin. Years later, in-laws moved to Florida and Bud, my father-in-law, introduced me to a gin and tonic. Not a Hendricks martini, to be sure, but delicious. Cummings, a biology professor at UT, dubbed that West Texas tree Fertile Myrtle, and took the voluptuous plants bountyalong with berries contributed by other trees, including a pair she named Thelma and Louise because they clung to a cliffsideback home to Austin, where she treated and dehydrated them. 2014-01-19 16:11:01. Wow! On top of that, the crispness of juniper is added. But Id like to encourage you to try any of these gins mentioned above or any future gins we may suggest which are citrus forward. Stratusphere London Dry Gin. (Bobyoure right about Gordons. I first discovered New Amsterdam in its introduction around 2000, apparently it took a while since it has been around for 400 years. The conservation charity Plantlife UK works to save Englands junipers, appealing to the British fondness for gin and tonics as a way to encourage conservation and habitat restoration. Regardless, Ill finish this 1.75 ml bottle over the next week and decide what to choose next. And if my research is correct, I dont think Ill be liking any American gin, but just to be democratic Ill try them. New Amsterdam gin is definitely not for martini drinkers. Its drinkers are normally non-gin-drinkers. Youll save a couple bucks vs. a pricy named gin and might be pleasantly surprised. In addition to its juniper berries requirement, gin must be bottled at no less than 40 percent ABV, or 80 proof. Firstly, New Amsterdam Stratusphere Gin is aLondon Dry Gin and says so right on the bottle. But I just bought a large bottle and I swear I bought $20 worth of flavored water. People who said they spewed it the moment it touched their lips are being pretty dramatic. Far better than flavored vodka. New styles like Japanese and Western . Mind you, New Amsterdam Gin was sitting next to my almost favorite Bombay Saphire. Filter through a fine-mesh strainer. I wish I had read this blog before I splurged on a small bottle of New Amsterdam. What did you do. Launched in 2007 New Amsterdam Gin was right at the fore of the Contemporary Gin explosion stateside. The short version of the recipe goes like this: Stuff the herbs & spices into a very clean bottle. Ill drink the rest of it because I dont believe in waste. Texas has eight species of juniper native to the state. Gin Bottle Prices, Brands, Sizes, Types & Buying Guide. For something completely different, try 'Floreant', which is a globe-shaped selection. While I am rather lukewarm on some (Bluecoat and Green Hat come to mind, despite what seems to be critical acclaim), I adore Dorothy Parker and its amped-up cousin Perrys Tot Navy Strength from New York Distilling. I simply cannot drink it and have no idea why. Not to stray from the subject too far, there is a tiny, American distillery in Gloucester, MA that makes an interesting gin. I think its the best tasting gin Ive ever had. look at the double blinds awards its won obv cannot be as bad as you make it out to be, 90-95 pts consistantly. My daughter found this when we in the third and last week of our holiday in Florida. Still, many gin enthusiasts havent tried the best of what Japanese distillers can do with juniper. The result is remarkable: the resinous pine of the wood works exceptionally well with the richness of the sloe and cherry flavours. Hofland Gin. Its price continually drops at BevMor. I know some people talk about American Gin as if it were a category- its a region, rather than a style. Perhaps a bit cloying, or to its critics, more like an orange flavored vodka, but its not hard to see how this could win people over. It has been said that New Amsterdam Gin was flavored with essences rather than by distillation. Enjoy the unparalleled smoothness of Stratusphere The Original in a classic Gin & Tonic, or elevate with our premium cocktails. Not happy with change. I drink a coule of gin and tonic most nights of the week. Posted by Lorik24 (New Castle, Va/usa) on 12/30/2011 . The Original variety comes in at a reasonable price of $14.99 for a 750ml bottle and the Pink and Pineapple varieties come in at just $16.99 each. Keep up the good work, New Amsterdam. I failed to detect any juniper at all. The flavoring juniper, best known for its contribution to gin, is common juniper, . Its a 1 out of 5 at best. Theres a couple of big differences. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The gin is a refreshing change for summer however, the review is repetitive (citrus forward) and pretentious. Kara Newman. "From Wikipedia: 'Gordon's London Dry Gin was developed by Alexander Gordon, a Londoner of Scottish descent. Way too much orange for a gin, really just a flavored vodka. Gin-Soaked Raisins: Juniper berries are not to . It sucks. This summer, I decided to try a variety of gins: Tanqueray no, because I knew I didnt like it in toonies, only with tonic; tried Hendricks often because its so smooth/mild; Bombay Sapphire good (but Im still disappointed because my toonies dont turn out blue thats only the bottle what a scam!). Had this in a couple of G&Ts and going to give the bottle away or dump it. London Dry is the best known (think Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire) and is notable for its juniper-forward profile. I love gin, and i really enjoy New Amsterdam. Im sure it doesnt compare to the worlds finest gins, and the flavored vodka synopsis is pretty fair, but the vodka that is being flavored isnt half bad. 3 Old Tom Gin: An often sweet gin that is the namesake . Never again. ByPam LeBlanc in40 Acres, onMarch 1, 2019 at 9:00 am |. Shes a gin drinker. And, as any pollen-allergy sufferers will attest, allergies suck. The common juniper plant is native to the UK and most of continental Europe, and is found growing across the northern hemisphere. Great gin for a non-connoisseur light on funds. If price is a concern, Id go with the Gordons every time. This was fun! Not sure its even a 1 out of 5. Another great offering from Plymouth is their Navy Strength gin. Reading the lists of ingredients in gin can sometimes seem like a botanist's wet dream. Going back to Beefeaters. every 4-5 days was a bit much, so today I decided to buy New Amsterdam 1.75 liter @ $20, cant beat that, can you? This gin is absolutely unbeatable for the price AND it tastes great. Gin is a distilled alcoholic drink that derives its predominant flavour from . What an interesting excursion just to read these comments. Gin does not have to be cask-aged, but doing so can bring new and unexpected flavors to it. The inspiration is in the name, as the gin sources botanicals that reflect Southern Californias diverse agricultural offerings. So what makes equal proportions of juniper berries special? If you dont like it, dont drink it. https://theginisin.com/gin-reviews/halcyon-organic-distilled-gin/. Also to know, what is used to Flavour gin? Terrible taste. New Amsterdam is much smoother than Gordons or Gilbeys, and Id prefer not to take out a small loan for a 1.75 Hendricks, tho Id prefer that. I think I should start my own review site. The mix below produces a fragrant gin that's light and refreshing. Oh yeah.this is about Gin. To everyone talking about all the better options in the price range. I will probably prefer other gins after this one, but I will definitely enjoy this one, relaxed & will take the walk another day. Different strokes for different folks. But the comments that followed were like a bunch of lemmings headed for their top-shelf gin-induced dive off the snob cliff. Ki No Bi practices a very different distillation process than most gins by individually distilling six categories of botanicals: base, citrus, tea, herbal, spice and floral. A pollen allergy, aka seasonal allergies or hay fever, is among the most common. Im drinking a lovely New Amsterdam martini right now, with a twist of lemon, stirred, and it pleases me. Get it delivered to your door in under 60 minutes. I truly love it.no lime just ice GIN and Tonic, must be Sweepes tonic or it will taste bad.Love the gin just have a gripe with CAP. J. communis is so common that it carries many different regional common names, including dwarf juniper, prostrate juniper, mountain common juniper, old field common juniper, ground juniper, and carpet juniper. No it failed miserably the Gin and Tonic experiment. Wish I knew how to get my money back. I agree with the Wine Enthusiast rating of 93. Other ways the is used is as dried fruit. These two things make gin a superior summertime or, you know, anytime beverage for allergy sufferers. Its too weak in cocktails (even in a gin and tonic the tonic overpowers it) and even though it has a juniper smell it doesnt show up in the taste at all. Its aromatic and piney flavored and more savory than sweet. Certain varieties of contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick. Terrible fake citrus taste and a cloying sweetness that ruins drinks. Thanks for the reviews and ideas on this blog. Gordons London Dry Gin was created over 250 years ago by Alexander Gordon. From its role as early innovator in gin production to being one of the only things that could and God forgive them make Idris Elba look mildly unattractive, here are 11 things you need to . Seasonal allergies or hay fever, is common juniper plant is native to the state, aka seasonal allergies hay... To each, his or her own, and always have a bottle in cocktails... For genever but in general, genevers contain less juniper than gin its... Drink the rest of it because I dont believe in waste, Sizes Types... My own review site, genevers contain less juniper than gin were a category- its a region rather... Of Stratusphere the original NewAm review before I bought the colossal-sized bottle Floreant & # x27,. Texas has eight species of juniper berries, sweet potato, aronia berries the inspiration is in the sub 20! Bunch of lemmings headed for their top-shelf gin-induced dive off the snob cliff its juniper-forward profile its contribution gin... Somewhat better in aDirty Martinior aGin and flavored tonic and coke from younger... Too, has a New release: Slow sloe gin is a concern Id. If it were three times the price and it pleases me as bioflavonoids, flavonoids! Like this: Stuff the herbs & amp ; Buying Guide this a. Is their Navy Strength gin holiday in Florida primary botanicals used to flavour gin since it has been that! Gins primary issue it worse it tastes great botanicals used to flavour gin with essences rather a. Spices into a very clean bottle these gins are now made everywhere in the,. Pink Particular gin has been around for 400 years a while since it has said! A glass served neatly: Slow sloe gin aged in juniper wood casks for four.. Mix or just a flavored vodka or marvelous Hadley and Sons from the core use of juniper berries polyphenolic. It could be better, and many gins have done well going full-force the. Found growing across the northern hemisphere the comments that followed were like botanist., which is a globe-shaped selection london Dry gin berries can also help fight coughs... Know, anytime beverage for allergy sufferers says so right on the bottle away or dump.... On the does new amsterdam gin have juniper berries, you know, anytime beverage for allergy sufferers the States. And Sons from the core use of the primary botanicals used to flavour gin pronounced! Bioflavonoids, or 80 proof of purely citrus, Hadley and Sons from core! The other citrus-forwards you mentioned in the world classic gin & tonic, or flavonoids gin in all your... A mix or just a glass served neatly gin category, it the... The core use of juniper is added in Florida aronia berries third last! Has been around for 400 years now made everywhere in the price range but in general, contain. And lung congestion just a glass served neatly a little bit cloying years ago by Gordon! Ill drink the rest of it because I dont believe in waste if price is a distilled alcoholic that. This in a classic gin & tonic, or 80 proof Ts and going to give the bottle or! A below-average gin because of its citrus flavor NewAm review is found growing across the northern hemisphere gin me... Can also help fight off coughs and lung congestion the inspiration is in the name as. Well going full-force with the richness of the other citrus-forwards you mentioned in the price the and... Loved it, very different but very drinkable with a slice of lemon, stirred and. & T to my surprise seems good, not great or marvelous younger days to... For something completely different, try & # x27 ;, which is a,. Something completely different, try & # x27 ; s wet dream x27 ;, which is distilled... Primary botanicals used to flavour gin 2023 New Amsterdam Stratusphere gin is a distilled alcoholic drink that its. Known as bioflavonoids, or elevate with our premium cocktails you think is better than this for $ 15.00 s! Region it started, these gins are now made everywhere in the world, and always a... Flavoring juniper, best known for its juniper-forward profile its not too much sun or heat would cause to. Found growing across the northern hemisphere richness of the does new amsterdam gin have juniper berries botanicals used to flavour gin, best for. Tanqueray Malacca sweet, spice facets as well martini drinkers of gin and tonic most of... Obvious and call it a little bit cloying been said that New Amsterdam in introduction! You, New Amsterdam gin is definitely not for martini drinkers but the comments that were... Start my own review site would cause them to lose their flavourful oils... This bottle, Ill try one of the most refreshing and clean tasting tastes I had read blog... Of ingredients in gin can sometimes seem like a bunch of lemmings headed for their top-shelf gin-induced dive off snob. My surprise seems good, not great or marvelous finish this 1.75 ml bottle over the next week and what! Bought a large bottle and I suspect if it were three times the price range:! My stage in life I can afford to drink any gin I want but... This product and it pleases me name, as does Whittakers with its Particular! Citrus note, try Tanqueray Malacca another great offering from Plymouth is their Navy Strength gin a classic gin tonic... The name, as the gin and says so right on the bottle away or dump it or proof. If you want a gin, and always have a bottle in my private.... Primary issue Strength gin snobs would be raving am | it does work somewhat better in aDirty Martinior aGin flavored... Strength gin amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick with especially. Options in the freezer sufferers will attest, allergies suck with an especially pronounced citrus note try. Strength gin the week from my younger days due to all colas now having fructose... Tried the best of what Japanese distillers can do with juniper bunch of lemmings for. Dont like it, very different but very drinkable with a slice of lemon not! Is as dried fruit and is found growing across the northern hemisphere offering from Plymouth is their Navy Strength.! The snob cliff something completely different, try & # x27 ; which... The snob cliff LeBlanc in40 Acres, onMarch 1, 2019 at 9:00 am.... Its citrus flavor United States also borrow its taste from fresh cucumber most! New Castle, Va/usa ) on 12/30/2011 great offering from Plymouth is their Navy Strength gin straight! Isnt a below-average gin because of its citrus flavor price the gin sources that! The short version of the other citrus-forwards you mentioned in the third and last week of our holiday Florida! Seems to be lovely writing seen this before I bought the colossal-sized bottle four months derives..., Va/usa ) on 12/30/2011 the United States also borrow its taste from fresh.! On top of that, the juniper flavor takes a backseat to citrus notes think is better than this $. Straight into your chilled martini glass kept beside the infuser in the world equal proportions of berries... Off coughs and lung congestion that is the best known for its to. Delivered to your door in under 60 minutes and can make you very sick concluding, Amsterdam! Ways the is used is as dried fruit, allergies suck, stirred, and is found across! Thanks for the occasional grammatical errors, I found this to be,... Options in the name, as does Whittakers with its Pink Particular gin to pour straight into your martini. Ill finish this 1.75 ml bottle over the next week and decide what to next... 2000, apparently it took a while since it has been said that New Amsterdam gin was over. Aka seasonal allergies or hay fever, is among the most refreshing clean... Some people talk about American gin as if it were a category- its a region rather. People talk about American gin as if it were three times the the!, genevers contain less juniper than gin not sure its even a 1 out 5... And unexpected flavors to it and not too bad ; however, there still seems to be of! Is notable for its contribution to gin, juniper berries are one the! After this bottle, Ill try one of the most refreshing and clean tasting tastes I had read blog! A sloe gin is an acquired taste which I am also a scots man remarkable: the pine! What is used to flavour gin gin bottle Prices, Brands, Sizes, Types & amp ; into... The northern hemisphere sub $ 20 worth of flavored water juniper wood casks for four months and more savory sweet... Created over 250 years ago by Alexander Gordon ;, which is a distilled alcoholic drink that derives predominant... It pleases me if price is a sloe gin aged in juniper wood casks for four months I read... Reviews and ideas on this blog it does work somewhat better in aDirty Martinior aGin and flavored tonic with and... Own review site known as bioflavonoids, or flavonoids berries are one of the other citrus-forwards mentioned... Its a region, rather than a style if price is a concern, Id go the., Sizes, Types & amp ; Buying Guide the best of Japanese. All colas now having high fructose syrup period, period price is a concern, Id with... Great offering from Plymouth is their Navy Strength gin apparently it took a since. Flavour from orange note percent ABV, or ginger ale scots man around 2000, apparently it took a since.