Tastings
Taster biographies
Bethany Whymark
After studying English literature at university, Bethany spent five years working as a journalist for regional newspaper groups in the east of England before moving into the spirits industry. She now edits Gin Magazine, trade website TheDrinksReport.com and Rum Magazine.
David T. Smith
David T. Smith is an independent spirits writer and consultant who specialises in gin. He is a chair judge for a number of spirits competitions and has written widely on the subject, incuding The Craft of Gin, Forgotten Spirits and Long Lost Liqueurs and Gin Tonica. He was winner of the 2016 Gin Communicator of the Year award.
THE PROCESS
• All samples are blind tasted, with ABV and style the only information disclosed.
• Samples are tasted individually over a two-week period.
• Tasters are provided tasting and scoring guidelines for consistency.
• The top scorer is awarded Editor’s Choice.
• Scores of 17+ receive a Recommended award.
The Apiarist
Honey Infused Gin
THE APIARIST
ABV: 39.5%
Country: ENGLAND
Style: Flavoured
Price per bottle:
Availability: UK
Bethany
Nose: Floral, like dried meadowsweet and chamomile flowers. Light honey sweetness with touches of citrus and wood shavings and a fruitiness like physalis.
Palate: More floral chamomile and slight dustiness. The honey is more prominent and gives it a silky texture. Then come notes of dried fruit soaked in fortified wine.
Finish: Meadowsweet, blackcurrants and honey see this out.
Comments: This does well to show off the hero ingredient without being too sweet. It feels like it needs a citrusy serve.
7.7
David
Nose: Fragrant and complex honey aromas with elements of both blossom and wax – this is a whole symphony of scents.
Palate: An indulgent, honeyed sweetness to start, that is interwoven between various botanical notes of coriander, citrus, angelica, and juniper.
Finish: More woody flavours on the finish, along with spice and a final sparkle of honey.
Comments: With its fine harmony of honey and gin flavours, this would be superb in a sour or mixed 50:50 with ginger wine in a Cushing cocktail.
8.3
Animal Spirits
GIN01 – The Rabbit
ANIMAL SPIRITS LTD
ABV: 44.0%
Country: ENGLAND
Style: London Dry
Price per bottle:
Availability: UK
Bethany
Nose: It’s quite classic, but with a warm, spicy edge that is verging on nutty. Juniper, citrus and nutmeg, with a touch of black pepper.
Palate: It has a lovely light, silky texture. Those spice notes continue, then it gets sweet and buttery with hints of brown sugar. The juniper works to balance the sweetness.
Finish: There’s a bit of a peppery tingle, which lasts well and is pleasantly warm.
Comments: I’m a big fan of this – great texture and flavours. It could be one for a Negroni, with that great spicy character.
9.0
David
Nose: Good, strong juniper notes on the nose make this bold and classic. Woody angelica and cardamom, too.
Palate: Well rounded and balanced: all of
