Gin

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020. 

Producer Description 

Batch distilled in the original victorial copper stills, Plymouth Navy Strength Gin is rich yet impeccably balanced. It is perfect for the adventurous spirit drinkers of the world, and takes a gin and tonic to a whole new level.

Plymouth Gin is a style and brand of gin that has been distilled on the same premises on the Barbican in Plymouth, Devon, since 1793. The site of production, the Plymouth Gin Distillery, was built in 1431 and is reputed to have once been a monastery of the Dominican Order, widely known as "Black Friars" (notice the tiny friar embossed on the bottle). Intense, bold and aromatic, for almost two centuries, no Royal Navy ship left port without it. A multi-award-winner that’s strong enough to fire cannons.

The making of fruit gins has long been a tradition in the English countryside, and ours keeps true to a recipe dating back to 1883.

The Nose - A clear character of mellow sloe berries, it’s fruity with notes of sweet cherry and a slight scent of almonds

The Palate - Fruity, smooth and full-bodied, with a perfect balance of sweet and dry

The Finish - Long, fresh and fruity

A 750ml bottle of Plymouth Sloe Gin (26% abv). Sloe berries are slowly and gently steeped in Plymouth Gin, soft pure Dartmoor water and a small amount of sugar for approximately 4 months.

The sugar levels are kept low to allow the full flavour of the berries to shine and allow the dry acidity of the fruit to be an important part of the taste. The result is an entirely natural product with no added flavourings or colourings. Sloe Gin has long been enjoyed as a ’winter warmer’ in the countryside.

Producer Description 

Gilbey's Gin is a delicate blend of 12 natural ingredients to achieve the ideal mix of complexity and balance to deliver a smoother, tangy, refreshingly dry gin with a hint of citrus that's the perfect choice anywhere, anytime. The key botanicals are; juniper, coriander, lemongrass, orange peel, kalamansi, angelica root, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Appearance is a pine-forward juniper, bitter orange rind, coriander mid-Taste, surprisingly obvious for a second and then quickly vanishing from consciousness. Aroma is classic with plenty of juniper, with orange zest and angelica present as well.

The lower notes have the bright, sappy, angelica still accompanied by the orange. The Nose is simple, but familiar and inviting. It’s fresh and generally quite positive. The Taste is assertive and sharp, with lots of classic gin botanicals making an— the Finish is sharply citrus with a mineral-tinged, calciferous/slightly chalky astringency.

Quite dry, with a roar of heat that is more expected at this price point. The Finish is moderately long, with that orange/citrus note enduring.

Producer Description 

W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. Bourbon is a unique bourbon created by bourbon connoisseurs who were invited to "Craft your perfect bourbon. Finally, after many opinions, this recipe was created. It is aged for eight years on the highest floors of Buffalo Trace Distillery.

This splendid blend is crafted from a wheated mash bill, like other great blends such as Pappy Van Winkle, William Larue, and E.H.T Seasoned wood. It is a wheated mash of corn, malted barley, and wheat instead of rye. This bourbon is smooth and rich with the dominant aromas of light citrus and oak on the nose. The palate is well-rounded and balanced, with a medium-long finish and slight hints of vanilla.

Producer Description 

The Botanist Distiller's Strength is a showcase of Bruichladdich Distillery's long-practiced art of bottling at full strength in the pursuit of exceptional flavor. The distillery's signature 22 hand-foraged botanicals combine to create a gin of flavorful intensity and sumptuous viscosity. Unlock the secret to an unforgettable cocktail with Distiller's Strength.

Producer Description 

It all starts with our precise blend of botanicals – cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. The botanicals are suspended in a neutral grain spirit for 18 hours in macerating tanks.

Producer Description 

Malty and oaky, with a fleeting note of dark fruit. 

A barrel-rested gin? Yes! St. George Dry Rye Reposado Gin adds rich notes of dark fruit to our juniper-forward Dry Rye Gin with time in ex-wine casks, making it a genre-defying spirit that will delight fans of genever, whiskey and those who love to blur boundaries. 

Producer Description 

Luxury English gin handcrafted with 24 botanicals in the Surrey Hills. Full-bodied and fresh with clarity and depth of flavour. A rich, juniper-driven spirit with floral layers of lavender and chamomile. 

Producer Description 

With special attention to detail and a deep respect for the tradition of producing authentic European Spirits since 1872, we are delighted to bring you our pride and joy:  Svayak GIN Royal Reserve.

Svayak GIN Royal Reserve is a strong alcoholic drink with the distinct taste of juniper berry. This gin has a bright dry balanced character with a clear flavour of ginger and lemon. 

The distinctive feature of Svayak GIN Royal Reserve is the thorough filtering of all its components. High production standards allow for a ultra high-quality gin, worthy of the Royal taste.     

Our Svayak Spirits was awarded 4 gold medals and 5 Superior Taste awards from multiple International Spirits competitions.

Our GIN  has been filtered more than 5 times, on modern, state-of-the-art equipment.

Producer Description 

A base of 100% pot-distilled rye makes this a gin for whiskey lovers—as well as a compelling pour for the adventurous gin drinker. Think of gin as you know it, then think again and brace yourself for a spirit with structure, spice, a gloriously rich texture, and a soft, lush finish. 

Producer Description 

From the imaginative Cabinet of Curiosities, Hendrick's presents the Grand Cabaret Gin, masterfully created by Lesley Gracie. Inspired by a whimsical 17th century fruit-based libation, this gin is a celebration of history and the spirit of lively gatherings.

Hendrick's Grand Cabaret is a limited release that embodies untamed exuberance and poetic grace. Each sip is like a dance of flavors, with the sensuous cabaret of stone fruit and sweet herbs tantalizing your taste buds. This gin offers an unparalleled experience, best enjoyed with tonic and a slice of cucumber, bringing out its refreshing essence. 

Producer Description

Xoriguer Gin de Mahn from Menorca, Spain. Perfect for on the rocks or adding a twist to the common cocktail. Distiller's notes: Mahn Gin is the result of distillation in traditional copper stills, using high quality wine alcohol and carefully selected juniper berries, which come from the neighboring Mediterranean mountains, together with aromatic herbs. These herbs are the jealousy guarded "secret" of the liquor's original bouquet.

A cult gin from Mahon in Menorca, Xoriguer is one of the only gins in the world (alongside Plymouth) to have a geographical indication, Gin de Menorca. Gin has been made on Menorca since the time of the British occupation in the 18th century and Xoriguer commands a devoted following of happy travelers. Unusually, Xoriguer is made in wood-fired potstills from distilled wine (eau-de-vie) rather than the more usual grain-based distillate, and is rested in American oak barrels before bottling.

Producer Description 

Gin flavored with handpicked juniper berries from its Hamptons estate, cardamom, cumin, coriander, fennel and anise. The most eye-catching detail about this spirit is definitely its trendy pink color, which winemaker and partner Roman Roth gets by using the vineyard's rosé wine as the base for the gin. Once the rosé is distilled, Roth adds a small amount of grape skin extract to get that subtle pink color.

Producer Description

The third time the Boy called for help, no one believed him. Powerless, he was left to watch as a real wolf snacked on his sheep. Lying will leave you discredited and alone. Watch your words as you drink this cocktail. 

Producer Description 

Distilling without heat results in a flavour boasting more fresh fruit, vibrant citrus, herbal and floral flavours than in a traditional heat-led distillation process. This is a vibrant, bright and smooth tasting gin.

In order to capture nature’s freshness, we invented our unbelievably cold distillation process. The result is a flavour you just can’t replicate in traditional heated stills.

It allows us to use fresh frozen citrus peel, instead of the typical dried peel. So that inside each of our individually numbered bottles is a bright, distinct, sippable gin.

Producer Description 

Usually used as a well gin in establishments nikolai gin shouldn’t be discounted as below par. Smooth but crisp with just the right amount of kick to make your gin and tonic or drink of choice truly divine.

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | Made with 10 internationally sourced botanicals—Seville orange peel, Italian orris root, et al.—this gin rings with plenty of juniper and licorice upfront, followed by lavender and citrus peel. Finishes smooth and mellow.

• This London Dry Gin was born out of a desire to see gin production return to the city where it earned its name. With a nod to traditional hand crafted production, this gin combines traditional copper pot distillation with a recipe that wouldn't look unfamiliar to an eighteenth century Master Distiller.
• Floral, summer meadow notes, followed by mellow rounded juniper and zesty, citrus freshness. Dry juniper leads, then reveals lemon tart and orange marmalade, before all the flavours harmonise. Dryness leads, with spicy juniper and a hint of lemon tart emerging.

Cocktail by Oscar Garcia

• Gypsy Water Dirty Martini:2.5 oz Sipsmith London Dry Gin
• 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth (Miro Extra Seco Vermouth)
• 1/2 oz Olive Brine and 1/4 oz of Dry Fino Sherry like Tio Pepe Green Olives for Garnish (Spanish Manzanillas)

Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, and stir until well-chilled.Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with skewer of olives.My suggestion: pick a few of your favorite classic Jazz records and invite some friends.

Producer Description 

MARCONI 42 is an Italian gin obtained from an infusion that recalls the light, heat and intense aroma that characterize the Italian Mediterranean scrub. Juniper berries, Rosemary, Mint, Basil and Thyme give a fragrant aroma of herbs and medicinal plants.

Transparent crystalline Colour. Intense juniper, fresh and herbal fragrant; recalls a bouquet of aromatic plants rubbed through the hands. Smooth and mild. 

TASTING NOTES:  

On the nose: Classic juniper and citrus along with floral and herbs. 

On the palate: Harmonious balance of floral and peppery with Juniper and rose hip.

Finish: Medium with earthy and spicey notes.
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• Variety: Andes Dry
• Botanicals: Juniper, Rose Hip, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Coriander, Chilean Myrtle, Lemon, and Ginger.
• Base spirit: Five-times distilled corn distillate with 96% alc/vol.
• Water: Glacial spring water
• Distillation process: Macerated for 24 hours and then distilled in copper stills, where botanicals are added into the gin basket. Electronic temperature control is used to ensure a measured distillation  process.
• Infusion: One month in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks.
• Distilled in the Alto Colchagua Region, Chile

The distillery, located approximately 3,281 feet above sea level at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the region of Colchagua, producing Nix Gin in small copper stills, ensuring maximal control of the distillation temperature and delicate handling of each of its ingredients.

Their energy-efficient processes feature state-of-the-art equipment and electronic temperature control that minimize the loss of thermal energy. All wastewater and organic waste are then efficiently treated and reused for the irrigation of flora and conservation of the surrounding nature. Their bottles are made from 90% recycled glass. Their endemic botanicals are organic and grow wild.

Master distiller, Gustavo Carvallo distills the gin in a 400-liter alembic still, where they mix the macerate together with botanicals in the gin basket. Two 50-liter stills allow him to create distillates from separate botanicals with a high degree of precision and patience, in order to best extract their essentials oils. Nix gin infuses for at least one month in stainless steel barrels at a controlled temperature, which allows the different flavors and aromas to blend together perfectly.

Nix gin uses only fresh botanicals from the Colchagua region, working with small producers and gatherers of organic botanicals and pays them fairly.

Producer Description 

This is a Gin produced by Nikka Whisky, with all of the base distillate made in their "Coffey Still" imported from Scotland in 1963. The Coffey Still produces a base with a silky texture, rich body, and more flavor than modern column stills.

Its aromatic complexity relies on the delicate balance of various botanicals including Japanese citrus such as Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shequasar. There is also a touch of apples, followed by pleasantly tangy hints of Japanese Sansho pepper on the finish, with traditional gin botanicals including juniper, coriander, angelica root, lemon and orange peel as well. In addition to the Coffey

Still a pot still is used to distill the Japanese citrus and a vacuum still for the Sansho pepper.

Producer Description 

Usually used as a well gin in establishments nikolai gin shouldn’t be discounted as below par. Smooth but crisp with just the right amount of kick to make your gin and tonic or drink of choice truly divine.

Producer Description 

Marked notes of juniper, with overtones of myrtle and slightly citrusy aromatic herbs. Floral aromas that conjure up the meadows in the upper Langa and the Alps in summer are strengthened by a balsamic finish.

Palate: Though it may contain only a few botanicals, it exudes opulence in a taste packed with richness and body. A few seconds after an intense opening the notes of juniper burst onto the palate, followed by hints of spices and herbs on the finish. As only natural herbs and infusions are used, the oily sensation that fills the mouth lingers on the palate, meaning much less is required for mixing with tonic than other types of gin.

Producer Description 

On the nose, the elderflower competes with the juniper. In the mouth, the other botanicals reveal themselves, including lemongrass and coriander. Notes of celery and a sweet licorice flavor round out the profile.

Producer Description 

Our Pollinator Gin is a grain-to-grass spirit distilled from non-GMO NY State corn and our wildflower honey, then infused with juniper berries and pollinator-friendly botanicals such as verbena, chamomile, and angelica. It is proofed down with pure, mineral-rich Catskill Mountain spring water to create an aromatic gin with a round, herbaceous bouquet and hints of citrus. 

HAPPY BEES MAKE BETTER HONEY ... AND GIN!

Pollinators like the honey bees keep our ecosystem buzzing and we are committed to donating a percent of each sale to causes that protect them.

Producer Description 

Fords Gin is "The Cocktail Gin," created with the input of the world’s best bartenders. A modern take on a classic London Dry, Fords Gin is made with a versatile mix of nine botanicals to be the perfect base for any gin-inspired cocktail.

The nine botanicals found in Fords Gin are sourced from Joseph Flach & Sons Ltd. They have been importing medicinal and culinary botanicals from around the world for London gin houses & tea companies since 1882, a time when tea houses and gin palaces thrived. These botanicals sourced from across the globe give Fords Gin a bold and balanced flavour that allows for versatility in classic gin cocktails. It is the perfect foundation for any gin-inspired drink.