The Gin Review | HIP Tasting Panel

Gin Panel

SPRING IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SHAKE UP YOUR GIN LIST, SO THE DRINKS TRADE PANEL DID SOME HEAVY LIFTING AND NAVIGATED OUR WAY AROUND 50 EXAMPLES FROM AUSTRALIA AND AROUND THE WORLD. MIKE ENRIGHT FROM THE BARBER SHOP, ANGUS HUGHSON FROM WINEPILOT, DAVID MESSUM FROM JUST THE DROP, SHEENA HARTCHER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN BARTENDERS GUILD AND KAREL (PAPI) REYES FROM STUART ALEXANDER JOINED ASHLEY PINI ON THE PANEL. SOME STAND OUT EXAMPLES OF BOTH TRADITIONAL AND EXOTIC, INNOVATIVE STYLES IMPRESSED, A COUPLE OF WHICH WERE BREAKING NEW GROUND IN WHAT YOU MIGHT DEEM A GIN. HERE IS A SELECTION OF OUR FAVOURITES WITH MIXED NOTES, ALONG WITH A TONIC PAIRINGEXANDER.

THE PANEL

SHEENA HARTCHER

President of the Australian Bartenders Guild and co-owner - Firefli Bars

MIKE ENRIGHT

Owner – The Barber Shop, Australia’s leading Gin Bar

DAVID MESSUM

Winemaker and industry consultant – Just The Drop

ASHLEY PINI

Publishing Editor – Drinks Trade Editor - Explore Gin, Tequila Vodka

ANGUS HUGHSON

Journalist and Founder – Winepilot

KAREL (PAPI) REYES

Brand Ambassador – Stuart Alexander

INTERNATIONAL GINS

Hendrick’s Orbium

Origin: Scotland ABV: 43.4% Category: New World Nose: Quinine and cucumber. Tropical guava and mango nectar. Pretty, lifted nose. Palate: Tropical nectar sweetness fine midpalate, complemented by bitter quinine finish Finish: Long with the above quinine influence. Pairing: Fentimans Connoisseur Tonic Water

Hayman’s Sloe Gin

Origin: London, England ABV: 26% Category: Steeped Nose: Christmas pudding. Soft and aromatic. Palate: Alcohol well balanced with sweet spices and additional sugar. Finish: Long, light and warm. Not overbearing. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Pinkster

Origin: England ABV: 37.5% Category: Steeped Nose: Candied forest berries, Palate: Typical of the nose with additional alcohol notes. Finish: Pronounced sweetness and breaking ground in the style. Works well with a balanced fruit dominant mixer. Pairing: Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic

Bombay Sapphire: English Estate

Origin: London, England ABV: 41% Category: London Dry Nose: Light herbal notes supported by stone and earth. Palate: Abrupt finish with alcohol to lengthen. Pepper supports upfront. Finish: Warm. Pepper supports the heat. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Martin Miller’s

Origin: London, England and Iceland ABV: 40% Category: London Dry Nose: Classic citrus and juniper with coriander and cinnamon. Palate: Water is the hero. Pure on the palate with classic, albeit very subtle botanic notes. Finish: Medium length and clean finish. Pairing: Fentimans Connoisseur Tonic Water

Monkey 47

Origin: Germany ABV: 47% Category: New world Nose: Big impressive nose, juniper forward, coriander. Palate: Balanced and pretty. An elegant gin on the palate with deep layers of complexity. Finish: Long with a clear driver of juniper but with a complex layer of botanicals. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Bathtub

Origin: England ABV: 43.3% Category: London Dry/Steeped Nose: Another polarising gin, with differing views across the panel. Confidently herbal with floral sweetness from orange blossom. Palate: True to aroma. Creamy texture with balance of sweet and citrus/spice. Vanilla and peppermint. Finish: Long, loud and smooth. Alpine fresh. A bold interpretation. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Dingle

Origin: Ireland ABV: 42.5% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Grassy with Coriander Palate: A subtle eucalypt and mint base turning peppery and a herbal green character. Finish: Medium finish and gentle warmth. A real favourite with the panel. Quality gin. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Iron Balls

Origin: Bangkok, Thailand ABV: 40% Category: New World Nose: Tropical fruit with candied sweetness. Palate: Divided opinion on the panel. Ginger and cinnamon surrounded by fruit salad once more. Not your typically juniper forward gin but a well-made underlying spirit. Finish: Pine nuts and gentle juniper finish. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Ki No Bi

Origin: Kyoto, Japan ABV: 45.7% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Rice is very pronounced as cereal used. Subtle botanicals. Palate: Alcohol dominance, propelled by black pepper notes. Finish: Rounded and oily finish - great length and breadth. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Herno

Origin: Sweden ABV: 40.5% Category: New World Nose: Bright mineral nose with non-intrusive alcohol. Palate: Amazing balance of vanilla, pepper and citrus oil. Finish: Confidently subtle. Pairing: Fentimans Connoisseur Tonic Water

Aviation Gin

Origin: Portland, USA ABV: 42 % Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Juniper is the hero. Classic and spicy. London Dry bouquet. Palate: Bright herbs at front backed by pleasant spices and roots to structure. Finish: Long sweet citrus and spicy. This one changed opinions on the panel of some American styled gins. Super impressive. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Botanist

Origin: Islay, Scotland ABV: 46% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Spices backed by fresh green aromatics. Palate: Very complex, stabilised by alcohol vapour. Finish: Savoury, long and complex. Evolves in length. Slightly bitter finish. Great for a classic G&T. Pairing: Fentimans Connoisseur Tonic Water

AUSTRALIAN GINS

Ninch

Origin: Victoria, Australia ABV: 43% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Myrtle, lime skin and eucalypt. Soft Juniper. Palate: Very Australian in pepper berry, myrtle and angelica. Finish: “Bush” savoury. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Manly Spirits

Origin: Sydney, Australia ABV: 43% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Saline and savoury. Sea floor and an intriguing musk. Palate: Kelp and strong marine flavours. Good alcohol. Finish: Simple though quite long. Pairing: Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water

Archie Rose Distillers Strength

Origin: Sydney, Australia ABV: 52.4% Category: New World Nose: Subtle botanical structure offers little aroma. Palate: Alcohol spice saved by maraschino and anise flavours. Finish: Long, finish indicative of initial palate. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Karu

Origin: NSW, Australia ABV: 44% Category: New World Nose: Typically Australian of pine and bright citrus zest. Palate: Alcohol helps enhance the pine and oil notes. Finish: Long, light, sweet and spicy. Excellent. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Adelaide Hills 78 Degrees

Origin: Adelaide, South Australia ABV: 42% Category: London Dry Nose: Bright berries with balanced sweet citrus and myrtle. Palate: Dry. Peppery sweetness with citrus oil. Complex. Finish: Long, sweet consistent and balanced. A rarity in Australia. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Summerleas Bottle not available at time of print

Summerleas

Origin: Tasmania, Australia ABV: 43% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Pine, grass and bright juniper. Although quite hot. Palate: Cacao darkness. Quite warm with alcohol to support. Subtle citrus to balance. Finish: Long. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

The Craft and Co

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria ABV: 51.4% Category: Steeped Nose: Earth and truffle. One of the most discussed gins of the day. Curry notes of carraway and cumin. Palate: Bitter. Carraway seeds create unbalanced savoury profile. Finish: Savoury and long. A polarising gin with non traditional juniper and root structure. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Seppeltsfield Barossa Shiraz

Origin: Barossa, South Australia ABV: 38.5% Category: Steeped Nose: Plumb and shiraz – juicy and fruit forward sweetness. Juicy with big notes of currant. Tannin and weight to support. Palate: Fortified Christmas warmth. Simple spices. Finish: Short and alcohol heavy. Pepper supports the heat. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Larrikin Gin

Origin: Victoria ABV: 42% Category: London Dry Nose: Australian notes of pine, juniper and coriander. Palate: Creamy toffee, peppery and strawberry. Bright coriander and herb notes. Soft palate. Finish: Sweet and a touch simple – a solid Australian style with good balance. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

The Doctor

Origin: Victoria, Australia ABV: 42%% Category: New World Nose: Wet bark, cut grass and preserved lemon. Palate: Christmas spices of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Akin to Becherovka. Finish: Sweet. Pairing: Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

Farmer’s Wife

Origin: Newcastle, NSW ABV: 48% Category: New World Nose: Bark, roasted herbs, bright green leaves of parsley and coriander with strong cereal base. Palate: Medicinal supported by subtle juniper. Finish: Long complex finish. Would be a cracking martini. Pairing: Fentimans Range of Mixers

Darby Norris “Valley Gin”

Origin: Tasmania, Australia ABV: 41.2% Category: New World Nose: Typical pine and mineral. Palate: Anis and liquorice candy. Lemon myrtle. Finish: Simple musk. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Bass + Flinders

Origin: Victoria, Australia ABV: 40% Category: New World Nose: Herbs backed by sweet vanilla, anise and cereal. Palate: Congruent flavours to the nose but with a creamy palate Finish: Short, unobtrusive and pleasant Pairing: Fentimans Rose Lemonade

The West Winds: Wild Plum

Origin: Margaret River, Western Australia ABV: 39% Category: Steeped Nose: Sweet, plum and tart. Mustiness. Uninterrupted brightness with pronounced fresh fruit. Palate: Plum and honey. Sweet and fruity. Mature tannin and weight. Full mouth-feel supported by pleasant alcohol. Refreshing in modern style. Finish: Clean and crisp with length. Balanced fruit to juniper and root notes without becoming sticky. Truly impressive. Pairing: Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water

Moore’s

Origin: NSW, Australia ABV: 40% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Australian bush. Lime skin and again, strong myrtle. Subtle juniper. Palate: Indicative of aroma, composure leaning towards citrus. Finish: Medium length. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Cedar Fox

Origin: Victoria, Australia ABV: 42% Category: Contemporary Dry Nose: Subtle perfume. Quite uncharacteristic. Palate: Bold forest floor with pleasant sweetness. Mild botanic structure. Finish: Creamy finish with hits of pepper spice. Medium Length. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Queenscliff

Origin: Victoria, Australia ABV: 42% Category: London Dry Nose: Classic juniper and root structure. Palate: Root heavy. Simple complexity, great lengthened with tonic. Finish: Good London dry length. Pairing: Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water

Four Pillars Sherry Cask

Origin: England ABV: 43.8% Category: Barrel Aged Nose: New French oak spice, dry orchard fruits. Palate: Notes of salinity with juniper. Flor, orange and anise supported by an amontillado fruitiness. Great complexity. Finish: Softness with good length. Remaining bright, fresh and tannic. Still gin with a grown-up twist. Pairing: Fentimans Connoisseur Tonic Water

Premium Indian Tonic Water:

The world’s first botanically brewed tonic water is made with a blend of herbal infusions, and lemongrass extract which creates a refreshing and unique tonic water.

Connoisseur’s Tonic Water:

This versatile tonic has been specially created with a delicate infusion of natural botanicals and quinine for a clean and balanced taste. This delicate flavour profile enhances and amplifies the beautiful botanicals of premium spirits, letting the spirit be the hero.

Naturally Light Tonic Water:

The world’s first botanically brewed light tonic water is made using a recipe based on Fentimans Tonic Water and maintains refreshing and distinctive citrus flavour but with 30% fewer calories.

Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water:

Made with ruby red grapefruit and quinine for a tonic that is refreshingly dry and crisp. Distinguished by its attractive pink colour.

Valencian Orange Tonic Water:

Made with sweet Valencian oranges and infused with lemongrass, this mixer is perfectly rounded with a hint of quinine for a refreshing and aromatic tonic water.

Rose Lemonade:

Made with pure rose oil from world-famous Rose Valley in Kazanlak, Bulgaria and the juice of real lemons. Delivers a beautifully refreshing drink with a unique aroma.

Ginger Beer:

A traditional brewed ginger beer with a complex, spicy taste. Made using the finest natural ginger root. Fiery and full of flavour.

Ginger Ale:

A distinctive but light ginger taste with the addition of orange and herbal infusions of galangal and cinnamon gives this ginger ale a fullness of flavour.

FENTIMANS

Chau Tran wins Mediterranean Inspirations by Gin Mare 2019

CHAU TRAN OF BURROW BAR IN AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN CROWNED WINNER OF GIN MARE MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRATIONS COCKTAIL COMPETITION AT THE FINAL HELD IN IBIZA, SPAIN.

Gin Mare, the first Mediterranean gin, invited finalists from around the world to compete in Ibiza for the grand prize of the eighth edition of their annual cocktail competition, a four-day course on distilling with one of the most prestigious and forward thinking still producers of the world, Edwin Van Eijk. At Vila Mare, Gin Mare brand’s home, with a breath-taking Mediterranean landscape as the backdrop, contestants were challenged with crafting a gastro-bartender drink based on bergamot as a representative ingredient of Mediterranean food culture. This year acclaimed chefs Fabrizio Fiorani- Asia’s Best Pastry Chef for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Jonatan Gomez Luna- the award-winning chef of Le Chique, a Latin American’s Best Top 50 Restaurant, acted as coaches and worked together with the contestants on the development of the perfect pairing.

Chau Tran making her winning cocktail

Judges and coaches

The finalists perfectly understood the connection between Gin Mare and gastronomy. Those talented bartenders were Jon Lee from Singapore, Alvin Ching from Hong Kong, Terry Lang from China, Odett Cruz from Mexico, Marian Scaturro and Greg Kong from US and Chau Tran from Australia.

Although the standard was high, Chau won over the judges with her “Fluffy Emu”, an exalted version of a shoey with which she intended to share a little bit of her home country combined with the Mediterranean world. “I really wanted to show off every part of the bergamot (a rare and hard to find citrus in its fresh format in Australia). Until 2.5 weeks ago I had never had fresh bergamot. I’ve juiced it, pith on, pith off, skinned it, made oleo, made a leather, tinctured, tea-ed, dehydrated every part of it, made several curds with it. But I also wanted to share a little bit of my home”.

The artful blend of Gin Mare, bergamot curd and Seville oranges juice topped with sparkling Australian wine and spritzed with Earl grey elixir wowed the judging panel, which included renowned industry experts Joe Schofield, Pippa Guy, Cesar Daniel “Burrín” Ponce, Yael Vengroff and Jorge Balbontin. In the words of Chau: “This drink is made to stimulate an appetite - using a blend of bitter and savouriness from the bergamot skin that is micro-planed into the curd, with cut through with the acidic juice. The sparkling wine is a nod to the Giró family that started as sherry and wine merchants before they started to make gin”.

To accompany her cocktail, she served a Pavlova with a base of bergamot, finger lime and wild honey distillate designed to create a bridge between the drink and food pairing. “(…) in a last flourish I am spritzing the top with strawberry gum elixir Gin Mare as the base- to add a beautiful nose to the Pavlova and super charge the fresh taste of the fresh strawberries” said Chau.

Chau Tran - Winner