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The Largest Tasting of Gin in the World, Ever.
The Tasting:The Fifty Best held a &blind& tasting of 57 gins with 15 pre-qualified judges. The gins were judged and scored separately. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the gins were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through eight flights of 7 gins. There was a food break after the fifth flight.The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no bronze medals awarded for this tasting. The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges& opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The states and countries of origin are identified for each brand.
DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS(Maine, U.S.)Nose: Lemon/lime, cranberry, rose petals, floral juniper, grass, celery, cinnamon, bark.Palate: Lemon peel, grapefruit, berries, dried fruit, juniper, lavender, caraway seeds, pink peppercorns, black pepper, cinnamon, herbs, mint, pine, resin.Finish: Cinnamon, star anise, juniper, lemon, dried citrus, citrus, floral, herbal, grain, peppery, spice, clean. Double Gold Medal
(New Zealand)Nose: Lemon, citrus, apple, pear, juniper, soft floral character, powdered sugar, cucumber, sage, light spearmint, herbaceous, white pepper, coriander, clove, Indian spices, pine, grassy.Palate: Lemon peel, lemon zest, citrus, elderflower, cucumber, sage, mint, spearmint, anise, pine, subtle botanicals, light, creamy, balanced.Finish: Orange peel, cucumber, ginger, mint, spice, smooth, dry, clean fresh profile. Double Gold Medal& &
(Colorado, U.S.)Nose: Tangerine, anise, licorice, cinnamon, light herbal.Palate: Lemon custard, lemon peel, lemon grass, sweet corn, honey, linzer tart, lavender, flower petals, dried flowers, dry tea leaves, clove, cracked black pepper.Finish: Bergamot, lavender, juniper, black pepper, herbaceous, robust, soft, smooth, classic. Double Gold Medal& &
(Missouri, U.S.)Nose: Lime, lemon, juniper, floral, botanical, herbal, anise, grass.Palate: Citrus, zesty, juniper, coriander, anise, mint, violet candy, floral, hops, peppery, clean, well balanced.Finish: Light juniper, spicy, surprisingly sweet, mineral, soft, smooth, lively. Double Gold Medal& &
(Michigan, U.S.)Nose: Bright lemon, lime, orange, juniper, floral, chai tea, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, spicy, cassia bark, tannin, wonderful.Palate: Juniper, star anise, dried flowers, pollen, floral, cinnamon, cardamom, garam masala, clove, toasty, chopped wood, pine, cedar, delicious.Finish: Soft vanilla tones, banana, rose, sweet spice, spice cake, clove, garam masala, pine, creamy, velvety. Double Gold Medal& &
(Oregon, U.S.)Nose: Herbal juniper, frosting, cinnamon, lavender, flowers, grass in spring, bright, lively.Palate: Lemon, light lemon peel, grassy, gentle juniper, juniper berry, rosewater, honey, nutmeg, spices, cassia bark, white pepper, pepper, earthy.Finish: Herbal, grassy, sweet citrus, slight lemon, cardamom, spice, touch of black pepper. Double Gold Medal& &
(New York, U.S.)Nose: Juniper, mint, Juicy Fruit gum, chocolate, powdered sugar, licorice, anise, cumin, allspice, cracked red pepper.Palate: Lemon, violet, No&l spice, mint, spearmint, anise, black licorice, pepper corns, pepper, brown sugar, creamy, cocoa, coffee, chalk, moss, very tasty.Finish: Mint, licorice, anise, menthol, eucalyptus, creamy, toast, clean. Double Gold Medal& &
(Minnesota, U.S.)Nose: Lime souffl&, watermelon, elderflower, floral juniper, mojito, caraway, bark.Palate: Lemon peel, lemon, kafir lime, tangerine, vanilla, Danish pastry, cherry pie, cola notes, spiced tea, mint, spearmint, creamy.Finish: Earl Grey tea, lemon iced tea, lemon-tinged sugar cube, orange peel, honey, ouzo, creamy, silky, pleasant, delightful. Double Gold Medal& &
(New York, U.S.)Nose: Lemon oil, juniper, spearmint, herbal, clove, meringue pie, grass.Palate: Lime peel, juniper, cherry, dried cherry, acai berry, herbal tea, honeyed crackers, spice cake, anise, lavender, floral, peppery, pine.Finish: Violet, juniper, floral talc, orange, peel, pistachio oil, anise, eucalytus, mint, pepper, spice, full flavored. Double Gold Medal& &
(Denmark)Nose: Dried cherry, Juicy Fruit gum, juniper, gardenia, rose, violets, floral, herbal, sage, pepper, pine, grassy, powerful.Palate: Lemon, dried peach, mango, plum, nectar, cracked juniper, violet, dried flowers, floral, wheat grass, herbal, basil, cardamom, coriander, pink peppercorn, menthol.Finish: Juniper, citrus, lavender, floral, English tea, licorice, pepper, spicy, brown spices. Double Gold Medal& &
(Oregon, U.S.)Nose: Lemon peel, lemon, orange blossom, orange, Earl Grey tea, pollen, toasted oats, pine.Palate: Orange, orange zest, lemon bar, lemon peel, peach cobbler, cream, custard, sweet corn, anise, mint, pine.Finish: Creamy, lemon curd, lemon-lime, orange, citrus, rose, floral, slight spice, resin, woody. Double Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Whole lemons, lemongrass herb tea, basil, fresh herbs, juniper, floral, anise, cinnamon, clove, chartreuse, grenadine.Palate: Citrus, cherry, cr&me br&l&e, floral, basil, grassy herbs, rye, anise, mint, light juniper, nicely done.Finish: Fruity, rose, floral, pepper, spice, mineral, wet stone, soft, bright, excellent.
Double Gold Medal& &
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS(Holland)Nose: Lime, peppered lemon, sun-dried fruit, subtle fruit, cane syrup, grass, diviner's sage, balsam wood.Palate: Orange peel, lemon, lemon zest, citrus, berry, juniper, rose, dried flowers, grassy, coriander, mineral.Finish: Orange, citrus, white pepper, pepper, smooth. Gold Medal& &
(Scotland)Nose: Floral, light juniper, coriander, touch of caraway, delicate.Palate: Floral, lavender, juniper, aquavit, black tea, creamy, smooth.Finish: Slight mint, peppery, refined, ornate, great, perfect. Gold Medal& &
(New York, U.S.)Nose: Vanilla, buttery, butterscotch, creamy, orange cream, fruit cobbler, coffee cake, pastry, toasted bread, herbal, spices, mineral, wood.Palate: Violet, dried flowers, orange flower, lemon peel, juniper, herbal, citron, pastry, whipped cream, custard.Finish: Fruity, butter, floral, wintergreen, resin, silky.
Gold Medal& &
(New York, U.S.)Nose: Ripe papaya, honey nectar, floral, juniper, Himalayan salt, mineral, cotton, wheat.Palate: Lemon, lime zest, citrus, cucumber, yams, bitters, cracked juniper, rosewater, anise, basil, mint, herbal, tea, grain, pink peppercorns, oaky.Finish: Cucumber, grass, floral, peppery, spicy, minerals, enjoyably smooth.
Gold Medal& &
(Oregon, U.S.)Nose: Citrus, honeydew melon, dates, floral, wild flowers, spearmint, grassy field, mineral, stony, subtle. Palate: Lemon peel, lemongrass, melon, cucumber, papaya, molasses, maraschino liqueur, custard, pastry, grain, peppercorn, anise, mint, herbal.Finish: Fruit, papaya, tart, herbs, juniper, mineral, clean, mild.
Gold Medal& &
(New Mexico, U.S.)Nose: Lemon peel, gumdrops, brown sugar, juniper, cinnamon, lavender, herbal, edamame, nutty.Palate: Citrus, juniper, cilantro, black licorice, cinnamon, No&l spices, dried flowers, clover, menthol, dry, pleasant.Finish: Anisette, almonds, citrus, black tea, menthol, juniper, semi-spicy.
Gold Medal& &
(Austria)Nose: Hint of whole lemon, lemongrass, lemon zest, juniper, vanilla frosting, subtle grain, sage, tree bark.Palate: Lemon curd, citrus, fruit, vanilla, honey, juniper, herbs, mint, clove, spice, baking spice, wood, silky, nicely balanced.Finish: Citrus, vanilla, licorice, spice, black pepper, pine oil.
Gold Medal& &
(California, U.S.)Nose: Lemon peel, lemon, mandarin orange, berry, dates, persimmon, subtle fruit, hints of juniper, lilac.Palate: Orange, tangerine, citrus, pineapple, juniper, rose, tea, anise, licorice, cloves, menthol.Finish: Juniper, fruity, white pepper, very smooth, classic.
Gold Medal& &
(Montana, U.S.)Nose: Vanilla pudding, dates, raisins, juniper forward, cucumber, subtle violet, cinnamon, cardamom, celery salt, pepper, bark, leather.Palate: Grassy, violets, floral, herbs, cardamom, rosemary, cloves, cooking spice, poppy seed, anise, ouzo, mint, pine, custard, light citrus, layers of flavor.Finish: Vanilla bean, vanilla, dried fruit, raisin, rosewater, violet, floral, saffron, eucalyptus, peppery, pine.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Cinnamon, juniper, white pepper, oregano, sweet herbs, lemon peel, cucumber, honey, hint of berry.Palate: Juniper blossom, citrus, kaffir lime, lemon, cucumber, dill, anise, pepper corn, white pepper, black licorice, mint, menthol, creamy.Finish: Eucalyptus, cucumber, lemon, citrus, rosewater, mineral, soft, beautiful crescendo.
Gold Medal& &
(Illinois, U.S.)Nose: Grassy, sweet grass, tea, Earl Grey tea, grain, wheat, toast, rice pudding, honey, clove.Palate: Honey, dark raisins, flowers, anise, licorice, cracked juniper berry, pine, bergamot, tea leaves, tannins, Thai rice, silky.Finish: Herbs, spice, pepper, menthol, bark, soft.
Gold Medal& &
(Montana, U.S.)Nose: Orange marmalade, lemon cream, honey, sweet cream, bergamot, anise, wintermint, menthol.Palate: Citrus, lemon, orange blossom, sweet corn, Earl Grey tea, clove, rose, floral, herbal, well-balanced.Finish: Lemon, Earl Grey tea, dried flowers, cream, toast, smooth.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Hints of lime, lemon zest, fruity, juniper, lavender, licorice, clean.Palate: Lemon, herbal, lavender, jasmine, honey, sage, curry, cardamom, coriander, clove, grain, hops.Finish: Lemon, citrus, vanilla, burnt sugar, creamy, mineral, white pepper, soft.
Gold Medal& &
(Washington, U.S.)Nose: Jackfruit, grapefruit, sugar cane, juniper, licorice, floral, grain, spice, pine.Palate: Juniper, orange, citrus, honeysuckle, grassy, bamboo shoots, sage, anise, herbs, grain, spice, clove.Finish: Orange, flowers, herbs, soft, smooth.
Gold Medal& &
(Michigan, U.S.)Nose: Graham cracker, juniper, cinnamon, grapefruit, mint, pine.Palate: Citrus, watermelon, juniper, flowers, grassy, spice, peppery, well balanced, mellow.Finish: Orange, peel, rose, floral, white pepper, mellow.
Gold Medal& &
(Washington, U.S.)Nose: Vanilla, cream, butter, cr&me br&l&e, banana, lemon, lime, citrus, herbal, vegetal, chardonnay, mineral.Palate: Cream, custard, vanilla frosting, brown sugar, biscuit, floral, chamomile, violets, lemon, mint, herbal, clove, vegetal, pine, balanced.Finish: Vanilla, floral, juniper, spice, peppery, mineral, smooth.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Subtle herbs, jasmine, juniper, corn, olives, brine, subtle wood.Palate: Lemon peel, blossoms, corn, cornbread, chipotle, poblano, mint, herbs, mineral, martini.Finish: Lemon zest, lemon cream, citrus, lavender, juniper, dark spice, mineral, grapa-like.
Gold Medal& &
(New York, U.S.)Nose: Citrus, lemongrass, honeydew, marmalade, honey, vanilla, jelly roll, eucalyptus, light pine, touch of wood barrel, mineral.Palate: Orange, orange peel, spiced strawberries, juniper, honeysuckle, dried flowers, myrrh, herbs, grain, sweet bread, clove, pine, wood.Finish: Hibiscus, dried violet, lemon, cinnamon, saffron, pepper, spicy, smooth, clean, bright.
Gold Medal& &
(California, U.S.)Nose: Lavender, juniper, cardamom, clove, heather, herbal, raisin bran cereal, mineral, pine.Palate: Dried fruit, lemon, ginger, pollen, juniper, grassy, cardamom, nutmeg, herbs, cracked pepper, spices, earthy, pine.Finish: Spice cookie, cinnamon, juniper, lavender, resin, wet stone, silky.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Citrus, honeydew melon, dates, floral, wild flowers, spearmint, grassy field, mineral, stony, subtle.Palate: Lemon peel, lemongrass, melon, cucumber, papaya, molasses, maraschino liqueur, custard, pastry, grain, peppercorn, anise, mint, herbal.Finish: Fruit, papaya, tart, herbs, juniper, mineral, clean, mild.
Gold Medal& &
(New York, U.S.)Nose: Lime souffl&, oranges, cantaloupe, watermelon rind, buttered popcorn, butterscotch, cotton candy, dried cherry, jelly beans, slight mineral notes.Palate: Lemon, lemon gummi-bear, orange, tangerine, papaya, bay leaf, mint, menthol, peppery, spice.Finish: Lemon, dried citrus, juniper, lavender.
Gold Medal& &
(Spain)Nose: Lime, juniper, rose, rose hips, floral, herbal, eucalyptus, grass, spice, nuts, pine forest.Palate: Piney juniper, cracked juniper, citrus, cherry, herbal, pepper, spice.Finish: Orange, tobacco, eucalyptus, peppercorns, spicy.
Gold Medal& &
(Washington, U.S.)Nose: Rose, hibiscus, floral, herbal, honeydew melon, lemon, lime, hint of cherry, brown sugar, caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, sweet cream, pecan pie, nutmeg, mineral.Palate: Blossoms, fruit, cherry, ripe papaya, bananas foster, vanilla, buttery, sweet cream, cream cheese frosting, cinnamon bun, grain, tea, herbal, nutmeg, spice, pink peppercorns, nicely blended.Finish: Sweet spice, candy, black cherry, herbs, black pepper, wet stone, mineral.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Lime, lemon, lemon peel, green apple, subtle fruit, Sri Lankan spices, cardamom, cassia bark, clove.Palate: Lemon, lemonade, lemongrass, juniper, rose, fruit candy, cinnamon, bergamot, cardamom, allspice, eucalyptus, cloves, pepper.Finish: Violet, fruity, cardamom, cloves, soft, crisp.
Gold Medal& &
(Texas, U.S.)Nose: Lime, tangerine, citrus, mango, grape jelly, fruit, hint of star anise, cinnamon, spicy.Palate: Rose, floral, peach, lemon curd, lime, wintergreen, mint, herbal, pink peppercorns, sweet & sour, well blended.Finish: Fresh rose, lemon, herbal, minty, pepper, pine, gentle, very nice.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Lemon-lime, lime cordial, green fruit, juniper, piney juniper, herbal, tonic, fresh.Palate: Juniper, green fruit, peach, blueberry, citrus, jelly doughnut, grain, ginger, anise, herbal, grassy, pine nuts, well balanced.Finish: Flowers, peach, herbs, eucalyptus, spicy, hint of black pepper, mineral, clean, fresh.
Gold Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Juniper, melon, dried herbs, herbal, light.Palate: Fennel, anise, orange, lemongrass, sage, lavender, herbal, root beer, sweet spices, spicy, well balanced.Finish: Cinnamon, sweet spice, herbs, nice, smooth.
Gold Medal& &
SILVER MEDAL WINNERS(Holland)Nose: Lemon, melon, honeysuckle, yams, coriander, bergamot oil, juniper, grass.Palate: Custard, honey, dried orange peel, orange marmalade, grapefruit rind, lemon peel, honeydew, berry, fig, lavender, anise, clove, herbs, spice, mint, peppery.Finish: Brown sugar, clove, mint, peppery, wet stones, gentle.
Silver Medal& &
(Wisconsin, U.S.)Nose: Juniper, herbal, lavender, pollen, lemon curd, cream, white chocolate, grain, vegetal, balsam wood, mineral.Palate: Cherry, dried fruit, citrus, pastry, egg custard, herbal, sage, agave, grass, vegetal, sherry, mineral.Finish: Spiced cake, sweet spice, pepper, lime, mint, soft, clean, fresh.
Silver Medal& &
(U.K.)Nose: Tropical fruit, bubble gum, Juicy Fruit, berry candy, gummi bears, blueberries, grape, peaches, apricot, pomegranate, fruitcake.Palate: Orange candy, lemon, grape, blueberry, fruity, violet candy, herbal, blossoms, roses, floral.Finish: Peach, grape, lemon, Juicy Fruit gum, spearmint.
Silver Medal& &
(Washington, U.S.)Nose: Cinnamon, cinnabun, pastry, sugar cookies, spice cake, spice drops, tropical, banana, dried cherries, toast.Palate: Touch of fruit, fruit gum, molasses, honeycomb, sweet grain, panettone, lemon grass, citrus, herbal, juniper, cardamom, cassia bark, anise, bay leaves, spice, cinnamon, wood, oak, balanced.Finish: Pistachio oil, poppy seed cake, honey, cinnamon, brown spice, spicy, tree bark, pleasant.
Silver Medal& &
(Delaware, U.S.)Nose: Vanilla, caramel, cream, coconut creme, banana, pi&a colada, cherry, tamarind, lemongrass, pear, honeysuckle, violet, floral, flowers.Palate: Orange blossoms, violets, floral, rosewater, pear, tamarind, juniper, honey, sponge cake, wheat, grain, fernet, cinnamon, licorice, Earl Grey tea, grass, pine.Finish: Dried violet, violets, purple flowers, floral, juniper, orange peel, tamarind, spice, dry, creamy, smooth, pleasant.
Silver Medal& &
(California, U.S.)Nose: Orange cream, lemon curd, cotton candy, juniper, floral, licorice, caraway, earthy.Palate: Raisins, prune, grape jelly, sherry, violet, juniper, anise, grappa, floral, herbal, grassy, menthol, pine, oaky, mineral.Finish: Lemon, floral, pepper, mineral, burnt sugar, oaky.
Silver Medal& &
Gin & An illustrious history.The actual origins of Gin can be traced to 17th century Holland. In 1650, a doctor mixed oil of juniper berries with grain alcohol, calling it "genever" (from the French word for juniper).
During the same period, English soldiers who were at war on the European continent were introduced to the spirit. When the soldiers with a preference for this new drink returned to England, soon the rest of the population grew fond of the spirit. Eventually gin became identified as the national drink of England, and the name was shortened to "Gin". Gin mixed naturally with quinine (or tonic water) which was found to help lessen the effects of malaria, making it popular with the English Foreign Service in the "colonies" of India and Africa.
While drinking gin, you can just imagine British Colonial officers sitting on a wide veranda sipping Gin and Tonics at the club. Jolly good!The origins of the &dry Gin& that London distillers eventually developed is very different from the Genever gin still made by the Dutch, which is heavier in body and stronger flavored.
London Dry Gin first appeared when the continuous still was invented in the early 1800&s, making a purer spirit possible. Originally, the phrase "London dry Gin" specified a geographic location & that the Gin was made in or near London.
Now, the term is considered to be generic and is used to describe a "style" of gin.
In fact, there are only 3 gins distilled in London today.
Old Tom is a style of gin somewhere in between the full-bodied Geneva and the sweet, botanical London Dry.
In the mid-1800's, if you went to a bar and asked for "gin", you were served either Genever or Old Tom.
By the 1900's, London Dry style surpassed both.What makes gin unique?Gin is made by distilling a 75% corn grain mash, and then adding various natural flavoring agents without redistillation.
This method is called "compounding".
London dry uses the column distilled method.
Gin gets its primary flavor from juniper berries, but many other herbs and spices go into the make-up. The botanicals come from all over the world, such as: Cardamom from Sri Lanka, cassia bark from Vietnam, orange peel from Spain, coriander seed from the Czech Republic and angelica root from Germany. Most of the juniper berries are imported from Italy. There are also dozens of other possible ingredients including anise, licorice root, cinnamon, almond, lime peel, grapefruit peel, saffron, frankincense, coriander and nutmeg,
Each distiller has his own secret formula and no two gin brands are exactly alike.
By law, gin is fermented and distilled, but never aged.
However, there is a barrel-aging trend emerging that is becoming increasing popular, especially among those new to gin.Not your grandfather's gin.While classic London dry gin will never go out of style, it's now joined on the shelves by the growing ranks of American or New World gins.
In addition to the required juniper component, today's newer gins are toning down the juniper and adapting a growing array of herbs, spices, botanicals and citrus.
And with the recent introduction of new-fangled artisanal tonics, sodas and bitters, mixologists are favoring gin as a principal ingredient in their modern cocktails.
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Please drink responsibly!
Comments or questions welcome, please e-mail to:
Thu. December 31,
AM - by: Mejores.top
Thanks for detail info, we make a ranking best gin for 2016 &
Sun. September 20,
AM - by: Editor
Our judging panel sampled Tanqueray. The review can be seen .&
Sat. September 19,
PM - by: Jim
What about Tanqueray??&
Mon. May 4,
PM - by: Jan Cramer
I never liked gin until I was introduced to Maine's Back River gin...I love it!&
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Fifty Best > Spirits > Gin
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