It was my birthday so I bought some Gin

"maximillious" (maximillious) 01/24/2014 at 18:04 • Filed to: None

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So my birthday was on the 22nd so i decided to get myself another bottle of small batch Gin and continue this exploration of the many complexities that is the Gin world. This time around I went with the St. George Botanivore. I had tried a single glass while I was out at a birthday dinner but I had an a suspicion that the restaurant added a bit of water (or the scoop of ice had some melt in it) so i decided to get a bottle and have a go on my own.

As with the other gins I have been sampling, I served this on the rocks with a light squeeze of lime. (What I have started to refer to as gin's best friend). This gin is particularly smooth. For those of you that read my review of the Botanist, I would put it on par with that, maybe even a little easier on the pallet. Upon the first sip you get a soft lavender scent that flows up your sinuses, which is quickly replaced by a juniper snap that quickly recedes to a smooth citrus as it goes down. This gin does not carry a particularly sharp bite, nor is it as aggressive as other botanical gins like Uncle Vals, but I have no doubt that is exactly what they were going for when they made this.

The scent of this gin is what really makes my nethers tingle. I could put this shit on a piece of cardboard and hang it from my rear view mirror to keep my car smelling botanical fresh. (the cops might not like that as much) The scent is in no way overpowering, but reminds me most of the day I spent strolling through a tulip field outside of Amsterdam.

All together, I love this gin. I will be revisiting it in the near future, and I will definitely be hunting down the two other styles that St. George makes. They sell a nifty 3 pack that includes a .250 bottle of each of the three flavors, so if you want a sample of each without dropping the cash for a whole bottle of each definitely track that down.

And on another Surprising birthday gin Note I had the chance to try this out

I don't have much of a review here on this one. Its made by a guy who is experimenting with making Gin. Its not being sold by anyone, I have a friend who got it directly from the distiller and allowed me 1 shot out of this really small bottle. This is an incredibly unique Gin. I wouldn't classify it as any type of gin I have ever had but i will say it was amazing. HUGE citrus notes and a subtle juniper background. Very very sharp bite, but i believe its something like 57% alcohol. This is something I am trying to get more of for a proper review. When I do you will all be the first to hear about it.

I hope all of you have a safe and happy weekend and enjoy every drink you have. If you see the St. George sitting on the bar in front of you do not hesitate to take one on the rocks with a squeeze of lime. You will not regret the decision. Cheers

For Sweden > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:05

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You're drinking something that's not Scotch. What is wrong with you?

maximillious > For Sweden 01/24/2014 at 18:05

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I dont like Scotch/whiskey/bourbon. Not my thing

For Sweden > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:06

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My condolences.

maximillious > For Sweden 01/24/2014 at 18:09

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Meh, I tried, I tried lots of great scotches and whiskeys and bourbons but they just aren't that good. I mean in comparison to good gins they are pretty shit. But that is just my opinion and I completely respect the w/s/b/r/ drinkers out there for exploring their tastes in that realm

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:09

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ddavidn > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:11

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"I served this on the rocks with a light squeeze of lime."

This kinda made me want to try gin. I've never bought gin before. But then I noticed you don't like whisky, so... your tastes may be questionable...

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:14

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Oh hey, my birthday was the 22nd too.

BIRTHDAY BUDDIES.

maximillious > ddavidn 01/24/2014 at 18:18

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I do not understand that sentiment another person hinted at that in this post too. People have distinctly different tastes in booze. Just because one person doesnt like a specific type does not liquor does not discredit their tastes in others. While i dont like whiskeys and the ilk I do not hesitate to try new ones I haven't yet, in the hopes that something will come along to change my mind. I keep a very open mind about it, but I would never order a fine glass of whiskey over say a fine glass of gin or even rum.

maximillious > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/24/2014 at 18:18

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BIRTHDAY BUDDIES!!!!!

maximillious > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/24/2014 at 18:20

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rad_mike > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:23

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I have a bottle of this going, myself. I'm really liking it.
Nice write up.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:24

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Please drink responsibly

maximillious > rad_mike 01/24/2014 at 18:24

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Thanks Mike! Glad you are enjoying it as well. Going to pour my last glass when I get home. I dont know where I am going to go next but it might be that Burroughs Reserve they did a write up on in Gizmodo today. That shit looks REALLY interesting. we shall see.

maximillious > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/24/2014 at 18:24

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You too sir! Enjoy your weekend!

ddavidn > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:25

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I'm kidding! Everyone likes different things. Bourbon is the most drinkable for me, though. Where does Aviator gin fall on your gin scale? I think it's good, but I have had very few gins. Also, I live very close to Oregon, so it's likely you've never even heard of Aviator...

maximillious > ddavidn 01/24/2014 at 18:33

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Wow, you know I havent heard of that one yet. I am in wisconsin so that is probably why. It apparently got a 97 from Wine Enthusiast.... if that says anything. I am going to have to hunt one of those down. ( I have a friend who manages a HUGE liquor store maybe he can get his hands on it for me) . If you are a bourbon person but want to dabble in gin you should get your hands on a bottle of Ransom's Old Tom. its a Barrel Aged Gin and so far my favorite of the barrel aged gins i have had. Its distilled in Sheridan Oregon and its fucking fantastic. it has that slight oaky undertone, almost like someone spiked your gin with a bit of whiskey.

ddavidn > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:38

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They put gin in barrels??? SOLD!

(Sorry, I'm really inexperienced in the ways of liquor.)

I'll look for that, and work up the courage to pay exorbitant taxes on it. Thanks!

maximillious > ddavidn 01/24/2014 at 18:40

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Yeah they do actually. Its a pretty new practice in terms of it moving into the main stream. Its a really cool way to have gin though and makes some outrageous drinks with it if you have a skilled bar tender.. I am not one, so one the rocks with a light squeeze of lime.

ddavidn > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:43

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I'm not much of a cocktail person. Don't like things to be overly sweet or have too many ingredients. Lime is a classic, though. Gotta love the lime.

maximillious > ddavidn 01/24/2014 at 18:48

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You really do have to love the lime. But, with a skilled bartender there are some amazing ways to mix drinks. Mixology is having a renaissance right now, thanks in part to "hipsters" Some of the classic pre-prohibition drinks are making a return and bartenders are working hard to get back to basics with some of the most popular mixers out there.

Dunnik > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:50

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+

maximillious > Dunnik 01/24/2014 at 18:52

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I certainly love a refreshing T&T but I really needed to start exploring the liquor that i loved so much. Tanq was really what started it all for me. its been a progression.

maximillious > Dunnik 01/24/2014 at 18:52

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And i just discovered how good canada dry tonic was...its crazy tastey compared to others... so is its lime club soda. oofdah

Dunnik > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:55

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Yes. It's the best. In the world.

Insist on nothing else.

ddavidn > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:56

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At work, we're lucky enough to have some great mixology connections. Nothing has really struck my fancy so far, though. Had some great Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, things with crazy names, etc... I do like some of the bitters, but not enough to put in good whiskey. There is a lot of nice stuff happening in the pacific northwest, though. We have most of the hipsters.

maximillious > Dunnik 01/24/2014 at 18:57

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I usually do that with anything in life. I pick my favorite and stonewall anyone who tries to offer alternatives. its really the only way to live

maximillious > ddavidn 01/24/2014 at 18:57

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oh yeah thats right... you said oregon. Im sure you have no shortage.

ddavidn > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:58

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Actually I'm in Washington, but close enough. I venture down to Oregon regularly.

Edit: here's some of the crazy stuff we try at work: http://expressoparts.com/2013/09/30/imb…

KnifeKnut > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:59

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Tried gin once. I exclaimed "Its like drinking a Christmas tree."

desertdog5051 > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 18:59

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Fuck that. Lets get hammered. They all taste the same after 1 drink.

To you my friend.

philipilihp > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 19:42

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A fellow Gin enthusiast! I just purchased this: http://www.caorunngin.com
Have you had it? If not, I'll tell you how it is.

Destructive Tester > Dunnik 01/24/2014 at 20:02

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Give Hendricks's a try, Tanqueray was my former go-to before I discovered the little black bottle garnished with a slice of cucumber...

maximillious > philipilihp 01/24/2014 at 20:28

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I have not had it and I would love for you to tell me because the apple pairing is incredibly intriguing! I love gin and have been diving head first into small batches. Every time someone asks "what will you have" and I ask for some random gin on the rocks I get looked at like I just told them I enjoyed eating humans lol. Do you get that? It seems weird considering how a zing the flavors are in these things. We need more gin advocates wouldn't yah say?

maximillious > desertdog5051 01/24/2014 at 20:31

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Haha haven't had that one! Looks like a proper g&t gin. I can see what your saying...maybe not after the first but after the 3rd or 4th you are right.... why is that tonic glowing? Is that supposed to happen. Wouldn't be surprised

maximillious > KnifeKnut 01/24/2014 at 20:33

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I used to say the exact same thing... actually what drew me to it. For a long time I drank gin and tonics as my go to...then I started to realize what I really liked about those was the gin... Also I wanted to cut sugary soda out of my diet.... and build up a tolerance to the poisonous juniper berry.

desertdog5051 > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 20:40

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...Cause it's from Canada?

maximillious > desertdog5051 01/24/2014 at 20:42

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Ha....haha.....hahahaha. figures

philipilihp > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 21:34

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Gin on the rocks is my jam, man! And yes, people seem a bit surprised. But this Caorunn is pretty good. I haven't tried it with the apple yet, just sippin on some G&T at the moment but I took a spi straight up before adding the T and it was really nice and smooth. If you have any hood gin recs I should try next please let me know. I just saw one from Vermont at the store that had honey in it, which sounded intriguing but it was a bit pricey.

Dr Emilio Lizardo > maximillious 01/24/2014 at 22:24

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The StGeorge Dry Rye makes an awful Martini, but a great Negroni.

May I recommend: