Hotaling & Co. Junipero Gin NV 750ml

2016 marked the 20th anniversary of this robust spirit, the first craft gin distilled in the U.S. after Prohibition. The aroma mingles juniper and citrus; the palate also shows plenty of lemon curd sweetness and peppery spice (cubeb, grains of paradise, pink peppercorn), finishing spicy with white peppercorn and coriander seed.

A distillate of more than a dozen botanicals… one of the finest, most aromatic gins available. The ultimate for Martinis!

Just like in 2011, there are tiny tendrils of sediment seen floating, but not enough to cause alarm; otherwise crystal clear and colorless. The splendid opening aroma highlights the juniper in spades, as well as earthbound botanicals notably orris and angelica but then in the second nosing passes other notes alive, especially citrus peel, dried flowers, tree bark that all orbit around the highflying sphere of juicy, sappy juniper. Entry is elegant, nearly sedate, yet there's a substantial core flavor of pristine spirit, piny juniper and root botanicals that carry forward the taste profile to the midpalate which highlights the juniper and flowers in a style that's graceful and powerful, but not overpowering. Finishes with a flurry of juniper, gentle heat, and honeysuckle, wrapped in a thick blanket of viscosity that is stunningly oily and lovely. As i said in 2011, "Liked it when I tasted it many years ago; I like it a lot today. This is no meek or meandering gin. It is straight and true."