Barreled Gin
 

Best Barreled Gin

 

The Fifty Best Gin Tasting 2025


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of barreled gins with eleven members of our spirits judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. The gins were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double Gold and Gold medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Silver or Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states, countries of origin and alcohol proofs are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Fabbrizii Gin Rusagni Riserva Barrique
(Liguria, Italy)  Distilled from grain.  80° prf

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, cola note, honey, dates, raisin, dried fruits, cherry, lychee, fresh pear, citrus, herbaceous, herbal juniper, juniper, anise, menthol, cinnamon, toasted almond, nutty, earthy, pine, oak, barrel, sherry, bourbon-like, expressive.
Palate: Caramel, burnt sugar, hearty chocolate, custard, citrus, lemon curd, honey, dried peaches, dried orange, dried fruit, apricot, rose, anise, licorice, mint, grassy, juniper, peppery, spicy, resinous, pine, sherry wood, oak, creamy.
Finish: Nice toasty brown sugar, caramel, molasses, honey, rich apricot, Juicy Fruit gum, violet gum, floral, resin, nuts, peppery, rum-like quality, smooth, fun to drink.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Fabbrizii Gin Rusagni Riserva Barrique



Martin Miller's 9 Moons Barrel Rested Gin
(UK / Iceland)  Distilled from grain.
Aged in Iceland for 9 moon cycles in French oak barrels.  80° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, maple syrup, honey, lemon cream, 7-up, sweet potato, orange blossoms, rose water, Earl Grey tea, peppermint, almond, clove, earthy, pine, cedar, oak, spicy oak, oak barrel.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, molasses, Coca Cola, berries, prickly pear, orange, lemon curd, faint rose, herbal, ginger, grassy, grain, toast, earth, resin, cedarwood, oak, aged wood, unique, round, soft, creamy.
Finish: Sweet marzipan, caramel, prickly pear, orange, fresh violet, light spice, oak, almost sherry notes, clean, soft, smooth, rich, a sipper.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Martin Miller's 9 Moons Barrel Rested Gin



GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Prosperous & Penniless Barrel Finished Gin
( Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)  Finished in chardonnay wine barrels.  91.2° prf

Nose: Vanilla, vanilla ice cream, fruit marmalade, banana, muted citrus, orange blossom honey, caramel, buttery, brown sugar, cola, white flowers, light juniper, eucalyptus, mint, cinnamon bark, wood, oak, cedar.
Palate: Sweet orange cream, crème brûlée, caramel, honey, brown honey cake, vanilla, biscotti, fruit gum with violet, orange blossom, floral, grassy, menthol, anise, sage, cinnamon, clove, baking spices, peppery spice, spicy, piney, dried pine, wood, oak, soft.
Finish: Dried lemon, prickly pear, demerara sugar, rice pudding, vanilla, juniper, saffron, mint, cinnamon, sweet spices, woody, cedar, unique, soft, rich, fun, easy drinking, delicious.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Prosperous & Penniless Barrel Finished Gin



Liberator Old Tom Barrel Rested Gin
(Valentine Distilling Co., MI) 90.4° prf

Nose: Dark chocolate, fudge, caramel, milky, vanilla, orange, citrus, cherry gummy bear, honey, honeycomb, lavender, flowers, tea tree, black licorice, cinnamon, cinnamon bark, clove, cardamom, coriander, baking spices, pepper, wood, oaky.
Palate: Raisin, dried peaches, fruit leather, orange peel, violet, rose, floral, juniper, vanilla, grain, grassy, herbs, clove, coriander, cinnamon, cinnamon Red Hots, Big Red gum, cinnamon gum, peppery spice, Sichuan pepper, pine, cedar, mahogany, barrel, Jägermeister, unique combo of flavors.
Finish: Tangerine, citrus, fruity, creamy vanilla, hot molasses, cinnamon, coriander, spicy, black pepper, wood notes, woody, oak, resin, big, creamy, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Liberator Old Tom Barrel Rested Gin



End of Days Barrel Rested Gin
(End of Days Distillery, NC) 90° prf

Nose: Wild flowers, dried flowers, floral juniper, juniper, génépy, sandalwood, almond, grain, celery seed, coriander, spicy, spicy BBQ, mesquite, pine, oak, dried oak, wood, earth.
Palate: Caramel, candied apple, dark berries, carrot, honey, honeysuckle, floral, vanilla, grain, juniper, celery, grass, mint, menthol, black licorice, strong black tea, wormwood, thyme, coriander, peppery spice, pepper, pink peppercorn, leather, earth, mineral, limestone, oak, lumber, wood, apple brandy.
Finish: Lemon zest, citrus, sweet citrus, dried citrus, honey, juniper, eucalyptus, celery, smokey paprika, brown spices, spicy, pepper, black pepper, minerals, wood, rich layers, smooth.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



End of Days Barrel Rested Gin



Robert's Barrel Rested Old Tom Gin
(Oak House Distillery, GA) 116° prf

Nose: Orange zest, citrus, pineapple, coconut, dried cherry, honey, lavender, rose water, floral, Earl Grey tea, lemongrass, grassy herbs, génépy, mint gum, Christmas cake, cinnamon spice, celery salt, juniper, wood, pine, cedar.
Palate: Lemon zest, orange zest, citrus, pineapple, toasted coconut, coconut sugar, honey, black licorice, anise, minty, lemongrass, juniper, cracked juniper, coriander, celery seed, pink peppercorn, peppery, spicy, chalky, limestone, mineral, earthy.
Finish: Dried citrus, orange marmalade, molasses, violet, dried violet, juniper, eucalyptus, camphor, mint, celery seed, saffron, coriander, chili, spicy, spicy, mineral, delicious.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Robert's Barrel Rested Old Tom Gin

 

 


 

Best Gin Part 1

Best Gin - Part 1

 

 

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