Gin 101-150
The Great Gin Exploration
For many years, we had not been vodka or gin fans. And this is due to bad gin decisions probably 30 years ago when we were much younger. Enough said. What is important is that we are back and keenly interested in gin, vermouth and all things botanically infused.
So, back on Jan 7, 2026, we stopped into the Bitter Bar next to Zuzu's on Main Street in Napa. And I asked for a martini made with Griffo gin because I had the privilege of serving the company's owner at the winery I work for. He had made his product sound pretty amazing. The bar keeper made the martini with Griffo gin and a touch of vermouth from Spain called Tximista blanco. And seriously, my life changed in a glass. I was spellbound. And since then, I have been on a hunt for botanical knowledge and product. We are just getting started here.
Gin Count: 101-104
Vintner: Altamar Brands, Malmo, Sweden
Description: Right Gin
Thoughts: They start with juniper, Sarawak black pepper, coriander leaf, lemon peel, bergamot, green cardamom, key lime peel, bitter orange peel.
This is a lovely, sweet nose of black pepper spice, citrus and juniper. The is a lovely hint of cardamom, one of my favorite scents.
The palate is nearly perfect with a good amount of pepper spice, berry, sweet citrus and coriander. It has great balance and mighty concentration on the flavor. A class act of a gin — highly sippable.
G&T or martini material.
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Date Tasted: 9/22/2026
Keeper ✓
Vintner: Thames Distillers, London, UK
Description: James Gin London Drizzle (JG.04)
Thoughts: Interesting, the team works on their ideas up at the Downton Distillery in Wiltshire. Then the scaled up, production is done in London. James May works with Master Distiller Hugh Anderson to come up with these creations.
Friends have been talking about James Gin creations. So, it is about time we tried one of them. This one sounded the closest to London Dry and also super interesting. And James wanted to create London Dry style that smelled like that scent you get after rain falls on dry pavement after a long dry spell. The scent is called Petrichore. When rain hits pavement or soil, it activates bacteria that secrete a chemical called Geosmin. This chemical rises up as an aerosol into the air and smells like rain. Our brains are so sensitive to Geosmin that we can smell it at five parts per billion!! And guess what, beets are high in Geosmin.
So, that does James do? He uses beets! He puts in beetroot, lovage, ginger, bay leaf, orange peel, juniper, coriander, angelica root, licorice root, cubeb pepper, rosemary and caraway seed.
It is a lot of data. But what you get is a very sippable gin with lots of lovely root notes, sweet potato (from the beets) and juniper. The resulting palate is spicy with ginger, juniper, citrus and pepper. Yah, this is a really nice winner of a gin. It will love to be the basis of any of your favorite mixed gin drinks!
Remember to follow us on Instagram @SippedReviews. And there are more ratings than appear here at our site: Pantomimehorse.com
Date Tasted: 9/22/2026
Vintner: West Cork Distillers, Skibbereen, County Cork
Description: Garnish Island Gin
Thoughts: They use juniper, coriander, angelica root, licorice root. There are many locally foraged botanicals as well such as hibiscus, iris, rose, rosemary and thyme. The blend is inspired by the lush Italian gardens on the island. The nose is balanced with pine, citrus, spicy and root notes.
The palate is spicy and lovely with an almost sweet finish. It is in perfect balance between the roots, florals and coriander.
A perfect palate for a G&T. Pick a good tonic and give this a twist of lime. It is screaming for lime!
Remember to follow us on Instagram @SippedReviews. And there are more ratings than appear here at our site: Pantomimehorse.com
Date Tasted: 9/22/2026
Vintner: Austin Whisky Co, Austin, TX
Description: American Gin
Thoughts: These guys include juniper, coriander, elderflower, Jamaican allspice, two types of cinnamon, three types of citrus peel, tarragon and pepper corn. This is nose you won’t believe. At first, its scent is way outside the box from a classic London dry. But we aren’t here to judge. This is an American gin afterall! The cinnamons, elderflower and peppercorns really stand out giving it a warm, almost stone fruit character.
The palate is spicy with peppercorn, juniper and cinnamon. It has great concentration and a sweet finish like cinnamon bubblegum (in all the best ways).
Really loving the imagination on this one. They use 70% Brasetto Rye and 30% non-GMO white corn. Again, going outside the usual box and creating a very different picture using many of the same paints others use. A real contender for a heavier mixed drink like Negroni.
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Date Tasted: 9/22/2026
Vintner: Waterloo Gin Co, Dripping Springs, TX
Description: Waterloo Gin No.9
Thoughts: There are nine botanicals here. We have Lavender, juniper, grapefruit, pecan, orris root, coriander, anise, ginger and licorice root.
Wow, the nose on this is just perfect. Nothing is overpowering, everything is balanced. There are just enough, vibrant citrus, berry and root notes to make this the complete package.
The palate sings with coriander, orris root, licorice and juniper. It has perfect balance and lovely concentration making this a single sipper in our book. But this gin is one with versatility. You could make a mean martini with this one. But it is suited to a G&T. You just don’t want to overpower it with too many heavy notes like Campari or full-flavored aperitifs. This one is keeper.
Remember to follow us on Instagram @SippedReviews. And there are more ratings than appear here at our site: Pantomimehorse.com
Date Tasted: 9/22/2026
Keeper ✓
