Notes: This rather idiosyncratic new member of gin family is made in a handmade copper pot still and is infused with green grape flowers among many other ingredients in a ugni blanc (cognac grape) alcohol base, that give it a unique aroma and flavor profile.It is perhaps unique among gins that it uses a grape alcohol rather than the traditional grain.This may make it attractive to celiacs and other gluten intolerant folks.

Appearance: Crystal clear, a few legs on swirling. Slightly oily appearance to body.

First Impression: More like opening a spice jar than a regular gin, cassia bark, cubeb, coriander, cardamon, nutmeg, licorice, then the lime and orange citrus and other aromatics adding to the blend as it breathes.

Taste: Bitter powdered tree bark, melange of spices that taste more like a curry – or chinese medicine then a gin. Hits the toungue on the midline edges with a astringent drying. I think I am allergic to the pollen or whatever it is as my tongue is starting to swell and my throat is constricting a bit. Where did I put that Epi pen?

Drinks: No, didn’t find it that interesting or helpful for a drink. Everyone who tried them did not finish their samples.

Bottle: Squat cylindrical clear glass bottle with a greenish cast to the top with a short neck and heavy bottom- resembles a apothecary bottle from years past. Label and artwork are however très moderne. Could be mistaken for a bath product or spa product at a distance (now there’s a thought! – might be good for poison ivy or some other running sores as an astringent).

Final Thoughts: This one reminds me of 5 spice powder but bitter, pollen, and bitter alkaloid treebark – particularly the virola tree from South America which a ethnobotanist introduced me to one night. Thank God it did not have the same effect -I don’t have 3 days to spare these days. Foul, bitter and evil tasting. Avoid.

Website: http://www.G-vine.com

Website is well laid out but not terribly informative. No details on distillation and heavy emphasis on the grape flowers and little else. More information would be useful.