Notes: This is a different style of gin from the much more common London Dry style (Click on Above for Styles/Definitions of Gin).It is made in by a small company Philadelphia made the old fashioned way in a copper pot still, a labor intensive method that has fallen from favor among most distillers. Only the truly committed (or committable) still use copper pot stills to produce truly different artisianal style products, such as this one.

Appearance: Clear, bright,a touch of oiliness/viscosity to the body, good long legs. Faultless blending of the complex ingredients (does not separate out) speak well to the skill of the distiller. When it is chilled it takes on a wonderful thick glasslike appearance even when shaken.

First Impression: Juniper and Seville orange bouquet in the nose with a hint of coriander, angelica, and orris root at the back end. I also suspect some angostura and a little gentian. It promises for something quite different!

Taste: Citrus, cardamom, juniper and orange. Tastes somewhat like a London Dry with a good high end Orange Bitters added to it. Very complex, aromatic and wonderful.The taste was very delicate and balanced, Orange/Citrus/Cardamom entry, a very herbal/earthy middle and a dry bracing finish that make you look forward to more. Damned smooth for the proof (94 proof – most are only 80) Warming end but no burn. Delicious!

Drinks : We tried the gin in martinis, gin and tonics and a few more. It is wonderful as a martini with a twist of lemon or an olive. Which is somewhat unusual as many gins are very much one or the other. Due to the orange and bitters notes it is almost all you need for an Opera, Maidens Prayer,etc. It has a wonderful delicacy and base notes for a large number of classic gin cocktails and I predict it will help spawn many new ones. It is the gin to work with for new cocktails.

Bottle: We usually have a cynical attitude to fancy packages- a lot of them are just an excuse to charge a lot more money for an indifferent or worse product. This is not the case with Bluecoat. Stunning deep blue rectangular glass bottle with with rounded shoulders, lightly pressed glass design and gold script on front. Concave sides with Bluecoat pressed into sides make for a very ergonomic no-slip grip. A beautiful attractive package that is very distinctive and makes for a wonderful gift.

Final Thoughts : An outstanding gin that is a sharp departure from the usual. Skillfully made, a creative blending of spices and flawless execution in distillation. Don’t let the low price fool you – this is a top notch gin -better than some that cost twice the money and is cheaper than many in the premium catagory. We are seeing a new frontier in gin. One of the best gins I have had -ever. If I could I would replace my blood with this.

Website: http://www.philadelphiadistilling.com  

Good simple web site easy navigation, simple and straightforward.