As complex and baroque as a steampunk creation of any kind we have encountered. Well crafted but makes Hendricks seem mainstream and tame by comparison.
Notes: Corsair Distillery is not only one of the earlier micro distilleries in this country but they are also easily one of the most prolific, with a dizzying array of products, many experimental and passing, others go on to become standards.Their current line up is here Corsair has also won numerous wards for both their products individually and their company in general as an innovative distillery and business. They have also just promoted Ms Andrea Clodfelter ( who started as be of their original bartenders) to head distiller, and plan an expansion with even more products soon !
Appearance: Clear silvery appearance. On swirling it forms a thin clear coat on the glass with tears forming on the edge line followed by a constellation on small droplets forming as the swirl line/coat retreats.
First Impression: Kind of like a smoked aquavit ( if there was such a thing) with dill, coriander, cardamom, smoke, sugar cane grassiness, with sotol/desert spoon thrown in for good measure.
Taste: Mezcal, agave type tastes with dill, citrus , smoked meat notes, very southwestern type of notes. Damned odd and very complex. Smoky,spicy with odd herbal components, licorice and smoke in the finish.
Drinks: Maybe a pickle back martini?, worked for us… Not terribly sure what to do with this intriguing gin, Of course the positive side is any cocktail you come up with will be an original and your own ( I hate it when I think I have a new idea and find it was done in 1925 personally…).
Bottle: Corsair while making a large portfolio of products that spans everything from Absinthes to Whiskies uses on standard bottle with many label variations. A clear glass bottle of medium height, roughly cylindrical and somewhat squat in appearance but angling in toward the heavy decanter bottom with a slightly rounded but sharp shoulder angling slightly upwards towards a short neck.Closure is a natural cork with a black wooden topper with their logo silkscreened in silver. Neck capsule is a clear shrink wrap with pull tab that is easy to pull and remove.Label is square, paper with the name of the product and their logo. Background color in this case is sort of a gunmetal grey. Bottle number and bottle yield/run is noted on the back label.
Other: This bottle was 241 of 244 of Batch 1
Final Thoughts: Easily one of the oddest gins I have ever tried ( at least by an American Distiller) and that’s saying a lot!
Website: http://www.corsairartisan.com
A well laid out and easy to navigate webpage that is fast loading and attractive.
