Bluecoat American Dry Gin

My first gin. This is how it all begins. This reminds me of a book my daughter used to read called "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...". One thing leads to another, and it's escalated 10 fold. Back in college, you start with your first beer. In no time at all, you're then sipping locally made craft beer from organic farm-to-table ingredients. Then, you have your first wine. Soon enough, you're sipping Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, talking about differences in vintages and terroir. Then, you get your first taste of whiskey. Before you know it, you're hoarding Karuizawas, Hanyus, and Broras hoping that you'll soon open it (or sell it). You then up the game to mezcal. Before you know it, you're standing in the middle of some dusty Oaxacan village sipping freshly barreled mezcal while petting Chico, that sleepy-eyed donkey pulling the stone wheel grinding the agave hearts. Yup. That's how it all starts. So...now it's gin. Thanks to GeologyJack, I had my very first gin. I'm not going to rate it, since I have no idea if it's good or bad...but...yeah, I liked it. Felt like sucking on a pine needle while walking through cool mountain air. Thanks GeologyJack! Would I buy a bottle? No. Because as much as I liked it, just like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", I'll then soon be looking at a Christmas tree wondering what it'll taste like distilled as gin.

I have not written anything in a while due to moving from SC to GA. Now that the move and move-in are complete I can get back to drinking and enjoying Adult beverages. I picked up Bluecoat Gin on a business trip to North Carolina for about $25 buck and I am very glad I did. The nose is very nice with juniper and citrus notes jumping up to meet you. On the nose, it is almost a Modern Gin with juniper only being a bit player but it is still strong enough to be in the entire tasting profile. The body is more juniper and citrus and just a little heat. The finish neat is kind of long for a gin with the citrus and the ethanol burn. I did ding this gin a bit for the burn it is not something I can sip neat or with ice. Now for the important parts how does it taste in drinks? In a Gin and Tonic, it is amazing especially with Fever-Tree Elderflower or Mediterranean tonic water. The flavors are great together. For Martinis, this works with dryer vermouths and better with a lemon peel. At 94 proof it is not too strong as to put you to sleep but strong enough to let you know you are drinking something. Overall, this is a really good gin at around $25 but higher than that I believe there are better options. Enjoy.

This gin is sharp - it has a clear, crisp juniper and citrus nose, and a very crisp and quick juniper flavor, followed immediately by a host of different notes rising from both the mash bill and the botanicals. The grains come through, especially the corn (earthy)and rye (peppery spice). The botanicals impart a very nice citrus tone - lemons, oranges and grapefruit. Adding a bit of water tones down the juniper, enhances the botanicals and brings out a nuanced pastis note. The finish continues with lime, pepper and spruce.

A crisp, dry gin by Philadelphia Distilling, an artisanal distillery based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has an aromatic birth with notes of Juniper berries, orange & lemon peel; while a complex life adds notes of orange, citrus fruits, tangerines, clementines, juniper, berries, a hint of herbs & coriander; that lead to a fresh & sweet death with citrus notes. September 2018 / January / November 2019

While gin seldom comes to my mind as the evening’s drink of preference, I can unequivocally advocate for bluecoat’s inimitable palate per contra to traditional profiles. The citrus elegantly storms the palate upon tasting,weaving between understated notes of juniper, and pepper that lace this drink with an abstraction of lucid sophistication. Truly a marvel.

An excellent gin! Clean, dry, floral, but refreshingly smooth, and balanced; I was pleasantly surprised by this spirit. It is quite complex with distinct juniper and orange flavored notes. It’s sharp and crisp but still manages to finish smooth with little to no burn. Definitely an underrated gin.