Spencerfield Spirit Company Tasting Notes

Edinburgh Gin 43%

Launched by Spencerfield Spirit Company in June 2010. Originally produced at Langely’s but since 2014 it is produced at their distillery in the heart of Edinburgh using two 140 litre Christian Carl stills. The two stills are shaped differently: one is an alembic still, the other a more traditional column. This allows for numerous techniques to be employed and – critically – many different types of gin to be made, should they want to make them.

Botanicals include, juniper (both Macedonian and Scottish), coriander, citrus peel, angelica, orris root, lemon grass, milk thistle, Scottish pine and heather.

Tasted: Mar 2017

Aromas of smoky juniper, pine sap and hints of citrus from the coriander. Good balance with a touch of lightly creamy spirit beneath.

The palate opens with sweet juniper and intense, bitter spice. Lightly herbal and floral with pine sap on the middle. Good, sweet-ish finish but it’s balanced by an almost astringent, piney bitterness.

Edinburgh Seaside Gin 43%

Botanicals include, survey grass, ground ivy and bladerwrack seaweed.

The nose is very salty and seaweedy with smoky juniper and hints of citrus, dried grass and a suggestion of mint.

The palate showers sweeter juniper and good spirit character with plenty of salt, seaweed, citrus and mint. Lovely, intense, balanced bitter/ sweet spice finish.

Edinburgh Cannonball Navy Strength Gin 57.2%

Botanicals include Schezuan pepper

Tasted: Mar 2017

Intense and juniper with smoky juniper. There is plenty of milky spirit character and the alcohol, although high is very well contained. Hints of citrus and possibly some seaweed notes (or maybe that’s my imagination!?!)

Soft but intense with plenty of juniper and pine notes. Lovely, softy smoked juniper and hints of citrus and spice. In fact the spices really come through on the finish with a Schezuan peppery bite along with a bite from the alcohol. Very impressive.

Firkin Gin Tasting Notes

Firkin ‘Try Me Naked Gin’ 46%

Quadruple distilled.

Botanicals: Juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris, lemon and orange peel, cassia bark, liquorice, ground nutmeg, cinnamon bark.

Tasted: Mar 2018

A fresh and citric nose with plenty of juniper, lemon, orange and a touch of coriander.

The palate is slightly milky and wheaty with juniper, coriander and fresh citrus notes. Slightly bitter cassia and nutmeg finish.

Firkin ‘Try me Naked’ Old Tom 46%

Tasted: Mar 2018

The nose is quite sweet and herbal with earthy juniper, coriander, pepper and an almost elderflower-like note. Although quite sweet it is well balanced and has a good intensity.

The palate opens with the sweet elderflower-esque character, along with juniper, lemon balm and hints of coriander. Not as sweet as the nose suggests, which is probably down to a greater citric intensity. Very herbal middle and a long, sweet orange and juniper finish.

Firkin Gin Original Batch 3 46%

Scottish gin bottled by Gleann Mor. Rested in an ex-20 year old Glen Garioch American oak cask

Botanicals: Juniper, angelica, coriander seed and orris.

Tasted: Feb 2017

Pungent aromas of smoky juniper with hints of angelica and wood spice. Subtle, mentholated herbal notes appear along with heather and toasted oak, which obviously has a subtle whisky character.

The palate opens with sweet vanilla oak and mentholated herbs. Hints of juniper and citrus follow. Long, with the toasty oak and subtle whisky notes lingering along with a late peppery spice note.

Firkin Gin Original Batch 4 46%

Rested in ex- 10 year old Lagavulin cask

Tasted: Dec 2016

Quite neutral but smoky nose with obvious grain spirit notes. Subtle, coconutty oak with a touch of clove and peat.

The palate is again quite neutral but showing a touch of juniper and clove. Subtly oaked with plenty of smoke.

Finish: Long, citric and smoky with a touch of bitter spice.

Firkin Gin Original Batch 5(?) 46%

Rested in ex-Glenlossie casks

Tasted: Jun 2017

The nose is very junipery with a slightly smoky edge. Lovely complexity with hints of barley, grass, angelica, coriander, orange and earth. Good balance with a good freshness and subtle oak character.

The palate is lightly oiled and showing some sweet-ish barley-like notes to begin with, followed by juniper, coriander and subtle herbal notes. Like the nose the oak is perfectly balanced and subtle, leading to a fresh, crisp and slightly mineral finish.

Firkin Gin Original ‘Virgin Oak’ 46%

Batch 14/2018

Tasted: Mar 2018

Pungent and herbal aromas with surprisingly sublte vanilla oak. Hints of lemon balm-like notes, dusty peppercorn, cinnamon, cassia and juniper.

The palate opens with the mentholated herbal notes, duty pepper, cassia and juniper. Tight oak tannins come through on the middle along with hints of rose petal pot pourri. Long, lemon balm-like finish.

Firkin Gin Original ‘Sherry Cask’ 46%

Tasted: Mar 2018

The nose opens with some semi-sweet sherried fruit, earthy juniper, coriander, orange, angelica and a sort of elderflower-like note. Good balancing lemon intensity and a touch of dry tannin and cinnamon.

The palate opens with a touch of creamy vanilla, earthy juniper, coriander and subtle sherried dried fruit. Quite herbal middle with a long, dried fruit and sweet barky spice – cinnamon and cassia finish.

Firkin Gin Islay Cask 46%

Rested in an ex-Laphroaig American oak casks

Tasted: Feb 2017

Surprisingly it’s the smoky juniper that shows first. The smoky Islay cask notes mingle well. Hints of vanilla, orange and slightly medicinal peat notes follow.

Like the nose, the palate opens with the smoky juniper and subtle peat smoke, although the peat comes through quite powerfully on the middle. Hints of juniper, toasty oak and mentholated herbs. Long, citric and smoky finish with the juniper notes lingering.

NB Distillery Tasting Notes

NB London Dry Gin 42%

NB Distillery – North Berwick

Botanicals: juniper, lemon peel, grains of paradise, coriander seed, angelica root, cardamom, orris root, cassia bark.

Tasted: Jan 2017

Fresh, citric and juniper led nose with hints of coriander and cassia. Very traditional.

The palate is fresh and citric with sweet juniper and hints of bitter spice, cassia and floral orris. Good balance of citrus and spice with a touch of creamy spirit character. Almost peppery bite in the finish.

Eden Mill Tasting Notes

Eden Mill Original Gin 42%

Scottish gin vapour infused with juniper, angelica, citrus peel, sea-buckthorn berries, coriander seed and lemon balm.

Tasted: Jan 2017

Intensely sweet and bitter juniper with fresh citric notes. Very refreshing with hints of salty berries, very soft coriander spice and a nutmeg-like note.

The palate is a little fuller and shows more spirit character, although it is still pleasantly fresh and juniper led. Hints of sweet citrus and bitter spice on the middle with a touch of salty berry. Long salty finish with warming spice and citrus.

Eden Mill Love Gin 42%

Scottish gin vapour infused with juniper, coriander seed, angelica, rose petal, elderberry, rhubarb root, marshmallow root, goji berry, raspberry leaf and finally infused with hibiscus flowers post distillation.

Tasted: Jan 2017

Slightly pink hued, hence the name I suppose. A floral nose, which is pleasantly bitter-sweet with the juniper taking a back seat to the hibiscus and almost raspberry-like notes. Subtly perfumed but well balanced.

The palate displays a depth of sweet berries, subtly perfumed petal and again a slight raspberry-like character. Like the nose the juniper is quite subtle and the finish is long and gently spiced.

Eden Mill Golf Gin 42%

Botanicals: Hickory, lemongrass, juniper, angelica, heather flower, rhubarb root, red clover, blueberries, star anise

Tasted: Jan 2017

The nose is earthy and a little muted with hints of stewed cold tea, dried grass and pretty imperceptible juniper. There’s also a slight metallic edge.

The palate is dusty and musty with that cold tea note. Flat and lightly oiled but the finish is quite spicy with a drying bitterness. Not hugely impressed by this.

 

Arbikie Highland Estate Tasting Notes

Arbikie Highland Estate Kirsty’s Gin 43%

Potato Vodka base with juniper, kelp, carline thistle and blaeberry

Named after the head distiller Kirsty Black

Tasted: May 2016

Heavy, oily, starchy aromas with hints of juniper, blueberry, thistle and warm, peppery spice.

The palate is delicately oiled and starchy with crisp juniper, blueberry, liquorice, black pepper and almost bitter citrus notes. Good intensity with the juniper becoming slightly floral. Long, with a tongue tingling spiciness.

Arbikie Highland Estate Kirstys Gin 43%

Re-Tasted: Dec 2016

Full and starchy aromas of sweet juniper, herbal kelp, salt and citrus. Pleasantly fresh with a light berry note.

The palate is full, starchy and rounded with slightly smoky but sweet juniper, kelp, berries and salt. Lovely balance with a lightly spiced finish.

Dunnet Bay Distillers Tasting Notes

Rock Rose Gin 41.5%

Bulgarian and Italian juniper, rhodiola rose, sea buckthorn, rowan berries, blaeberries, cardamom, coriander seed and verbena.

Tasted: Jun 2015

A pungent nose of juniper and cardamom with hints of rose petal, fragrant smoke, berries, verbena, sweet coriander and citrus. Fresh but quite heavy, distinctly artisanal with underlying cereal spirit notes.

Fresh and crisp on the palate. A little sweeter and lightly creamy with juniper, cardamom, green spices and bitter spice notes. A touch of berry fruit on the middle along with citrus. Long and full of spirit character with lingering sweet rose petals and dry spice.

Rock Rose Navy Strength Gin 57%

Batch 23/ Tasted: Nov 2016

Intense, crisp and salty aromas with rose petal, juniper and slightly salty/ smoky berry notes. Hints of sugar coated lemon, pepper and verbena emerge with time.

The palate is intense, yet soft with smoky juniper, berries, rose petal and a lovely combination of smoky and bitter spices. Long and hugely salty with a floral, dry spice and bitter cardamom finish.

Rock Rose Winter Edition 41.5%

Tasted: Jan 2017

Scaled down botanicals plus spruce tips.

The nose is crisp and fresh, displaying juniper and pine along with a hint of salty/ sour berries and subtle barky spice.

The palate likewise has plenty of juniper and pine. The juniper is pleasant sweet and the spice shows some lovely earthiness. Salty middle and finish with lingering berry, spruce and coriander. Although pleasant it doesn’t have the same level of complexity as their standard bottling.

 

Gordon Castle Tasting Notes

Gordon Castle Scottish Dry Gin 43%

Juniper, mint, lavender and gooseberry

Tasted: Oct 2014

Nose: Aromatic and full with plenty of creamy spirit character along with a touch of juniper, angelica and coriander.

Palate: Fresher with more citrus and juniper. The spirit character is subtler which allows the cinnamon and coriander to come through.

Finish: Long, intense and spicy.

Conclusion: Pleasant and well balanced.

Gordon Castle Scottish Dry Gin 43%

Re-Tasted: May 2016

A crisp and glacial fresh nose with hints of sweet juniper, mint, elderflower and subtle herbaceous notes.

The palate is crisp and fresh with juniper, mint and grassy herbs. A touch of bitter spice comes through on the middle and the finish is long and remaining spicy. Quite a dry after-taste.

Bruichladdich Tasting Notes

The Botanist Gin 46%

Distilled at Bruichladdich

Tasted: Mar 2011

31 botanicals are used in the production of The Botanist, including 22 native to Islay. The full list of botanicals is as follows: angelica root, apple mint, birch leaves, bog myrtle leaves, cassia bark, chamomile, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, creeping thistle flowers, elder flowers, gorse flowers, heather flowers, hawthorn flowers, wild Islay juniper berries, lardy’s bedstraw flowers, lemon balm, lemon peel, liquorice root, meadow sweet, orange peel, oris root, peppermint leaves, mugwort leaves, red clover flowers, tansy, thyme leaves, water mint leaves, white clover, wood sage leaves. 

The nose is distinctly London Dry in character with plenty of crisp citrus rind, juniper, herbs and floral notes. A lovely complex and fresh nose with no shortage of depth and a slight creaminess. The palate is slightly oily but balanced by the crisp and citrusy fruit. Again herby with plenty of juniper and an almost tart alcohol which gives it a very mouth watering touch. Fresh and long with a slightly rooty/ barky/ earthy finish. 

The Botanist Gin 46%

Re-Tasted: May 2013

A lovely crisp and herbal nose of juniper, elder flowers, chamomile, slightly salty citrus and a touch of orange. Lightly creamy in nature with some lightly oiled barley notes. 

The palate is fresh and very herbal – bog myrtle, elder flowers, gorse, thyme and chamomile. The spirit itself has a pleasant creaminess along with featherlike barley sweetness. Lightly spiced on the middle, showing some cinnamon and coriander along with a gentle salinity. Good length with a light orange/ tangerine note in the finish.  

The Botanists Gin 46%

Re-Tasted: Sept 2013

A very complex, fresh and herbal nose with smoky Juniper and orange/ lemon peel. Lightly oiled but pleasantly sweet with hints of hawthorn and perfumed elderflower and late notes of peppermint and thyme. 

Lightly oiled and gently creamy on the palate with juniper, coriander, cassia bark spices up first followed by some angelica and sweet orange. Lovely building herbal freshness on the middle with a touch of peppermint and bog myrtle. Long, fresh finish with hints of elderflower and salt.

 

William Grant Tasting Notes

Hendrick’s Gin 41.4%

Distilled with juniper, coriander, citrus peel, cucumber and rose petals

Tasted: May 2013

A subtly sweet nose of rose petal/ Turkish delight. There are some hints of juniper, watery cucumber, crumbly spices and citrus but the emphasis is firmly on the rose petals. 

The palate is much like the nose with a little tart citrus attempting to balance the sweet rose petal/ Turkish delight notes. Hints of juniper, coriander and cucumber can be discerned briefly but the rose petal returns with a vengeance. It’s a bit sweet and girly to be honest. 

Hendricks Gin 41%

Re-Tasted: Feb 2014

The nose is subtle and oily to begin with a touch of juniper then the ultra-sweet and perfumed rose water/ Turkish delight comes through.  

Soft, simple, palate opening with a touch of burnt caramel, followed by perfumed rose water, juniper and slightly bitter spice. Short and a little bitter with the perfumed rose lingering. Conclusion: If it wasn’t for the overwhelming rose it would be a pretty bland spirit.

Wemyss Vintage Malts Tasting Notes

Darnley’s View Gin 40%

Four times distilled.

Tasted Nov/ Dec 2013

A lovely fresh and botanical nose with leafy spices and a hint of cucumber(?). Lightly smoked and an earthy, almost peaty note.

The palate is very natural and oily with plenty of herbal, leafy notes along with a subtle juniper note and some citrus. Good length with the spices becoming sweeter.

Conclusion: A very natural, lightly oiled gin with plenty of spirit character.

Darnley’s View Spiced Gin 42.7%

Re-Tasted Jan 2014

Quite pungent aromas of bitter wood spice along with hints of juniper. Waxy band relatively sweet with hints of herbs and fresh pine needles. With time it becomes slightly milky.

The palate is a little soapy to begin with and not quite as complex as the nose would suggest but it has a pleasant balance of citrus and juniper with a touch of cinnamon coming through. Good length with a balanced bitter/ sweet finish.

Darnley’s View Spiced Gin 42.7%

Re-Tasted: Oct 2014

Nose: Pungent and oily with hints of creamy and digestive biscuits. Gently spiced with hints of juniper, liquorice, sherbet lemon and salt. More spirit character than botanicals however.

Palate: Soft and sweetly spiced. Fresher than the nose with more citrus and juniper. The spirit character is not so overt but it can still be discerned, thus giving the palate a much better balance.

Finish: Long, lemony and very spicy with hints of pepper, coriander, cumin and chilli spice.

Conclusion: if the nose had the balance of the palate, this would have been bettler rather than just good!