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On my last trip home to California I acquired a bottle of Gray Whale Gin.\u00a0 This is a relatively new \u2018craft\u2019 Gin and had been well received by the gin cognoscenti. \u00a0The following is a typical review:\u00a0 “First, the aroma of citrus carries you north, followed by juniper and a subtle hint of cool coastal fir trees. As you move further up the path, fresh mint and the umami flavors of kombu sea kelp are rounded out by a beautiful lasting creamy almond finish. Its young, bold and wise beyond its years.”<\/p>\n
So, of course, I was eager to give this a try, having been led by such reviews to expect and angels with harps riding great grey whales \u2026\u2026 but no.<\/p>\n
First some of the basics.\u00a0 This Gin is made in Sebastopol, California by Golden State Distillery.\u00a0 For those of you unfamiliar with Californian geography that is north of San Francisco, near Santa Rosa. \u00a0There are only six ingredients, all from California.\u00a0 They are Big Sur Juniper, Temecula Limes, Sonoma Fir Tree (needles), Mendocino Coast Sea Kelp, Santa Cruz Mint, and Central Valley Almonds.<\/p>\n
The gin is 43% ABV, 100% gluten free, seven times distilled.\u00a0 All very appealing.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, every bottle of Gray Whale Gin supports Oceana, through a 1% donation, protecting and restoring the world’s oceans such that Gray Whales will continue to make that epic 12,000 mile annual journey from the Alaskan Artic Ocean down the Canadian and California Coast to their Winter Birthing grounds in the Bay of California.<\/p>\n
So how does it taste?<\/p>\n
In a cold Martini it is very neutral.\u00a0 The juniper is dominant, yet subdued.\u00a0 There is also notes of spice, a bit of citrus, and slightly earthy after tone.\u00a0 Overall, genuinely nice but unremarkable.<\/p>\n
Tasting it \u201cneat\u201d, in a Glengoyne glass, you get citrus on the nose when first approached.\u00a0 On the first taste juniper dominates with a slight bit of salt.\u00a0 Then, there is some citrus and, again, there are some earthy afternotes<\/p>\n
In my opinion, this gin is somewhat pedestrian.\u00a0 Not bad by any means but nothing special stands out either.\u00a0 I think this gin would be best enjoyed in more complex cocktails with additional flavors supporting the drink.<\/p>\n
If you are looking for a neutral and mild gin this may well fit the bill.\u00a0 Perhaps when introducing an uninitiated friend to the virtues of a Martini?<\/p>\n
And you can help save the Gray Whales also.<\/p>\n
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If you have any special Gins you’d for which you’d like to hear my review, please let me know.\u00a0 Just add a comment to this post and I’ll do my best to find and sample it.<\/p>\n
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Looking for an outstanding \u201cMartini Quotes\u201d? Or just some amusement?\u00a0 I believe I have the best collection of Martini quotes anywhere! Click the link: http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?page_id=365<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you like these posts and want to be notified by email when they come in, On my last trip home to California I acquired a bottle of Gray Whale Gin.\u00a0 This is a relatively new \u2018craft\u2019 Gin and had been well received by the gin cognoscenti. \u00a0The following is a typical review:\u00a0 “First, the aroma … Continue reading \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Martini-Outline-e1587744668899.jpg?resize=200%2C267\")
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\nplease subscribe to the blog\u2026. over on the left column.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"