Barreled Gin 2021
 

Best Barreled Gin

 

The Fifty Best Barreled Gin Tasting 2021


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a barreled gin tasting with 11 barrel-finished gins and eleven members of our spirits judging panel. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. The barreled gins were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at 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, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. 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 WINNERS

End of Days Barrel Rested Gin
(End of Days Distillery, NC)
Rested in oak barrels.  90° prf

Nose: Lemon peel, lemon pith, piney citrus, lemon/lime soda, juniper, juniper flower, floral juniper, delicate floral, spring honey, spice cake, mineral, brine, light cedar, oak, wood, bourbon barrel.
Palate: Caramel, honey, sweet grains, dried figs, orange peel, lemon, lime, lemon blossom, violets, deep floral, juniper, mint, purple sage, herb, thyme, cardamom, peppery spice, char notes, oak, woody, tropical zingy, rich, creamy, smooth.
Finish: Bold citrus, lemon rind, orange peel, juniper, herbs, pistachio oil, clove, baking spice, sweet spice, pepper, pine, oak, smoky, zingy, zesty, all in balance, great in a cocktail.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



End of Days Barrel Rested Gin



Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin
(VT)  Bourbon barreled.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, honey, pineapple, lemon, lemon peel, great citrus, juniper, juniper flower, fresh flowers, anise, mint, eucalyptus, génépi des alpes, tarragon, oak, strong pine, spring morning.
Palate: Lemon zest, lemongrass, custard, juniper, floral notes, botanicals, dried herbs, ginger root, angelica root, spicy agave, cassia, spice, pepper, chili pepper, pink peppercorns, oak, char, rich.
Finish: Caramel toast, Juicy Fruit gum, ginger, juniper, flower notes, sweet herbal, herbaceous, menthol, eucalyptus, wormwood, cinnamon, spice, pepper, pink peppercorn, oak, zesty, creamy, soft.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Dry Line Barrel Reserve Gin
(South Hollow Spirits, MA)
Aged 1 yr in American & Hungarian oak wine barrels.  94° prf

Nose: Caramel, creamy vanilla, cocoa, cola, raw honey, pineapple, watermelon, orange peel, citrus, cucumber, anise, spearmint, sweet herbs, cinnamon, cedar, wood, sweet smoke, charred oak, fireplace.
Palate: Molasses, sugar cane, vanilla, cola, fruit gum, honey, mango, pineapple, banana peel, orange peel, ripe citrus, ginger, spearmint, Red Hots candy, cinnamon, almond, peaty, wet moss, rich charred oak, tart.
Finish: Dark chocolate, root beer, dried figs, dried pineapple, orange sangria, anisette, spearmint, cardamom, spices, minerals, wet stones, wood, nice after-dinner drink, perfect for tiki drinks, perfect for cocktails.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Dry Line Barrel Reserve Gin



Simon’s 1794 Barrel Finished
American Dry Gin

(Starlight Distillery, IN)  92.4° prf

Nose: Vanilla, sugar cane, honey, sweet orange, orange peel, citrus, lime soufflé, limoncello, peppermint candy, peppermint, spearmint, sweet herbs, sandalwood, spices, cola nut, cedar, oak, clean & fresh.
Palate: Orange, tangerine, orange peel, lemon rind, dried peaches, honey, black licorice, anise, fennel seeds, juniper, mint, menthol, spices, cardamom, pepper, filo, wood, oak.
Finish: Vanilla, brown sugar, cola, orange, ginger, black licorice, anise, minty, floral, mugwort, Thai basil, long cardamom, spicy, soft, pleasant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Simon’s 1794 Barrel Finished American Dry Gin



Gintrigue Barrel-Finished Gin
(James Bay Distillers, WA)
Finished in bourbon & cognac barrels.  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, custard, honey, dates, lime, lemon peel, lemon blossom, spiced cake, cinnamon, baking spices, oak barrel, assertive.
Palate: Vanilla, honey, manuka honey, lemon custard, lemon cream pie, peach, pear, citrus, dried flowers, floral, juniper, anise, mint, clove, cinnamon, pine, oak, balanced, soft, light & airy.
Finish: Brown sugar, rose sorbet, juniper, yuzu citrus, lime, light spice, wood, cedar, oak barrel, refreshing, smooth, delicate, soft, easy.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



   Gintrigue Barrel-Finished Gin



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Freedom Barrel Rested Gin
(Freedom Whiskey Co., OH)
Distilled from grapes.  90° prf

Nose: Limoncello, lemon tart, sugar cane, honey, fresh nectarines, banana, dragon fruit, bubble gum, orange blossom, elderflower, hints of chamomile, almond bark, cinnamon, faint cucumber, pickle brine, oak, fresh linen.
Palate: Caramel, cream, honey, fruit gum, peach, blood orange, orange peel, lemongrass, juniper flower, lightly floral, anise, licorice, ginger root, ginger beer, spiced rum, oak.
Finish: Lemon verbena, bright citrus, sweet citrus, candied lemon peel, honey, apricot, light nectarine, lavender, potpourri, anise, pepper, spicy, smooth, tasty.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Freedom Barrel Rested Gin



Blue Spirits Ghost #7 Barreled Gin
(WA)  Aged in bourbon barrels.  89° prf

Nose: Caramel, butter cream, sweet cream, honey, lemon, honeycomb, raisin, sweet berry, banana, apple, orange peel, lime, sandalwood, grain, wood.
Palate: Lemon, Meyer lemon zest, orange, orange liquor, honey, raisin, pineapple, berries, baked goods, grain, herbal, black licorice, grassy, cardamom, cinnamon, peppercorn, pepper, cedar, creamy mouthfeel, rich..
Finish: Caramel, vanilla, light lemon, citrus, tropical, herbs, pistachio oil, spicy, woody note, well balanced, smooth, well made, great.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Blue Spirits Ghost #7 Barreled Gin



Copper Fiddle Tom Gin
(Copper Fiddle Distillery, IL)
Briefly aged in once used whiskey barrels.  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, caramel candy, burnt caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, bananas foster, almond extract, amaretto, hint of mocha, cocoa, cinnamon bark, cinnamon, sandalwood, cedar, oak, wood, sherry barrel, bourbon barrel, bourbon, cognac.
Palate: Caramel, cocoa, vanilla, honey, baked goods, cherry, black licorice, cinnamon, nutty, toast, leather, match sticks, pine, oak, wood, oak char, bourbon barrel, bourbon-like..
Finish: Caramel, butterscotch, vanilla candy, cherry, wintermint, cinnamon, roasted nuts, toasty, peaty, char, nice use of oak, use in an Old Fashioned, clean & fresh.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Copper Fiddle Tom Gin



Fifty Pounds Oak Cask London Dry Gin
(UK)  Aged in PX sherry barrels.  87° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, burnt sugar, peanut brittle, creamy, vanilla, almond, honey, dried cherries, juniper, nutmeg, cardamom, wet moss, peaty, tree bark, oak, wood, scotch-like.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, butter, cream, sweet sugar cane, vanilla, honeycomb, honey, fruit gum, burnt orange peel, black licorice, juniper, clove, cereal, grains, grassy, wet moss, fresh rain, oak, mellowed..
Finish: Caramel, honey, orange peel, light lemon, herbal, eucalyptus, almond, roasted coffee beans, spices, balanced, delicate, a great sipper.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Fifty Pounds Oak Cask London Dry Gin



CCD Gin
(Cowboy Country Distilling, WY)
Distilled from corn. Brandy barrel finished.  86° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, honey, Anjou pear, lime, orange peel, almond bark, buttered popcorn, salted peanuts, fresh herbs.
Palate: Caramel, butter, brown butter, creamy, vanilla, cookies, honey, cherry, watermelon, orange, orgeat, blossoms, Earl Grey tea, almond, clove, nutmeg, toast, oak.
Finish: Vanilla, honey, raisins, pear juice, watermelon, juniper, floral talc, black tea leaves, baking spices, clove, dried oregano, quinine, cedar chest, sweet & sour, soft, smooth.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



CCD Gin



1220 Barrel Reserve Gin
(1220 Spirits, MO)
Distilled from grapes. Rested in cognac barrels.  94° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, vanilla pudding, vanilla, cotton candy, banana, lemon, lime, lime zest, orange, bright citrus, fresh herbs, dried daisies, juniper, almond, piney, oak.
Palate: Caramel, Werther’s Original, vanilla, honey, sweet orange, develops tropical fruit, blossoms, tamed juniper, ginger, Christmas cake, spicy, pepper, oak, cardamom, sandalwood.
Finish: Caramel, vanilla, coconut, sweet spiced cake, orange, lime, citrus, fresh violets, herbs, root herbs, pepper, Sichuan pepper, nutty, oaky, good heat, savory.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



”1220

 

 


 

Best Gin Part 1

Best Gin - Part 1

 

 

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