1 Railroad Gin
A Detroit gin distilled with cardamom, juniper berries, citrus, and a blend of spices complementing Michigan corn and barley. A classic dry gin.
Librarian’s Notes: She is hard and sharp and you can use her as a knife, and yet a surprisingly rich finish.
Recommendation: served with juice
2 Letherbee Gin
Created in Chicago to be the “anti craft, craft gin.” Tasting notes from theginisin.com: Strong nose, juniper, fennel, a bit of pepper. The taste is very loud, even by gin standards. Juniper begins early, some lemon peel, citrus rind, and coriander. The spices begin to shine in the middle before coming out quite loudly in the finish. Fennel and licorice, with a finale that really brings a bit of heat. Long fennel seed note on the finish.
Librarian’s Notes: A classic juniperian start with a strong citrus after. That’s “juniperian,” not “Jupiterian,” but there’s something Jupiterian about it.
Recommendation: built to be a mixer, so we’ll serve with juice.
3 Glorious Gin
New York
Tasting notes from theginisin.com: Rosemary, pine and citrus burst forth on the nose, with this rich, complex, and slightly grain tinged aroma that gives the spirit a certain gravity and umph. It smells rich and aromatic with a bold invitation to take a sip. The palate I think is clear and unique, with plenty of space for you to pick out elements of each. Juniper is at the fore, with the green, oily, pine/herbal notes of rosemary amplifying it just slightly. Citrus is really clear and obvious in the middle and the finish has dots of ginger and specks of warmth which really round out the overall profile. The spirit is thick and rich, leading to a long finish which conveys menthol tinged herbs and bitter citrus zest.
Librarian’s Notes: powerful nose, but almost intangible juniper, some heat. I’m not even sure what I’m tasting. It’s almost the vodka of gins. My gin-apathetic friends tend to love it.
Recommendation: classic G&T, serve with lime
4 Botanica Spritvs Gin
California
This gin’s creator first constructed an herb library with over 50 different herbs sourced from across the globe and began distilling each herb separately to figure out what he wanted in a gin; then chose a unique vapor distillation method. This is a damn fancy gin.
Tasting notes from caskers.com: an herbaceous aroma, with touches of fresh grapefruit and coriander that give way to notes of spicy cassia, ginger, lemon and tart cucumber on the palate. The finish is sharp and crisp, with hints of bergamot and cucumber that linger.
Librarian’s Notes: the gentlest of gins, pleasantly cucumbery and bergamotty and 11 other botanicals I can really only guess at. This gin has a college degree.
Recommendation: serve neat
5 Bilberry Black Hearts Gin
Three Oaks, Michigan
Tasting notes from thegindependent.net: Bilberries are the predominant, unifying theme in this gin. For those not acquainted with bilberries, they are Northern European cousins of huckleberries and blueberries – both of which are native to the southwestern flatlands of Michigan. A clever coup de terroir, [an] approachable, comfortable gin. Not for everyone. (Beefeater-lovers, I’ve given you fair warning.) But for those willing to experiment with a new, refreshing gin for tonic, you’re in for a treat.
Librarian’s Notes: a friendly, fruity gin that’s properly warm and welcoming, and only British in its literary references, not in its dryness.
Recommendation: G&T with lime
6 Coppercraft Distillery Gin
Holland, Michigan
Tasting notes from barmansjournal.com: This gin is a very modern, dry gin made with a blend in 13 different botanicals. It is crisp and refreshing, with a strong presence of citrusy lemongrass and coriander in the body and a hint of spice from cinnamon and nutmeg in the aftertaste.
Librarian’s Notes: So dry and crisp and non-junipery that I’m not sure how it found it’s way into this library other than we all try things. On the other hand, if you don’t love traditional gin, this one’s for you.
Recommendation: mix with one of the non-tonic seltzers or juice
7 The Botanist
Isle of Islay, Scotland
Tasting notes from theginisin.com: Side by side with other gins, when sipped neat, doesn’t really taste all too different. It’s not as smooth as other gins at this price point, but that bouquet. I keep coming back to the scent. It is delightful and harmonious
Librarian’s Notes: So much going on in there that no one note jumps out–cinnamon and juniper are there but do not dominate. I always forget that I love this gin til it’s in my mouth.
Recommendation: G&T with NO lime, or neat
8 Ugly Dog
Chelsea, Michigan
Tasting notes from sipologyblog.com: an unpretentious, indistinct, workhorse gin. Surprisingly Sweet. GNS, sugar, pine sap, orange juice, with a cedar finish.
Librarian’s Notes: A forceful gin that’s not fucking around.
Recommendation: with juice
9 Bluecoat
Philadelphia
Tasting notes from theginisin.com: A citrusy gin, smooth, fragrant, and very drinkable, though not a traditional gin.
Librarian’s Notes: This is my 9th gin today. I no longer have opinions.
Recommendation: mix with one of the non-tonic seltzers with double lime