I tried this neat and in a "perfect serve" G&T (for this gin, the distillery recommends a slice of red apple). Neat: crisp, aromatic nose with definite juniper notes, some citrus and a hint of sweetness; palate is refined, full-bodied and refreshing, with relatively assertive botanicals that strike a great balance between bitter and sweet, and where the apple and rowan berry are nicely present; finish is medium, bracing and aromatic. "Perfect serve": the red apple really plays well with the apple notes in the gin, and brings the honeyed character of the heather into focus. I used a lightly-flavoured tonic water and am regretting it; I'd be curious to see how it plays with something a bit more assertive. Overall it's not an incredibly unique gin (certainly not as unique as the marketing around it would have you believe), but it is very well-made, and pleasant to sip even just on its own. I would recommend serving it with apple if you're planning to put it in a G&T; it's not just a gimmick, the G&T does actually taste better with it. I also found that ice flattens it a little, so cool responsibly.
About this bottle
Caorunn Gin is made at the Balmenach Distillery in Scotland, one of the first distilleries to be licensed to make Scotch whisky. Named after the Gaelic word for "rowan berry," a botanical used its production, Caorunn (Ka-roon) gin is made with a combination of traditional gin botanicals - juniper berries, coriander seeds, orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root and cassia bark - and botanicals handpicked from the Scottish Highlands: rowan berry, bog myrtle, heather, coul blush apple, and dandelion leaf. These botanicals are vapor infused with the neutral spirit in a unique copper berry chamber (a round horizontal chamber with four large to copper trays that hold the botanicals) to produce the final product.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 27 parsed reviews.
We found this one to be a delicious gin! It is very smooth, we enjoyed it neat and on ice, the botanicals are refreshing but a little subtle, the Celtic flavors work pretty well together although it resembles a traditional gin as well.
Straight, I didn't love it: the nose seemed to be straight ethanol, with some sweet fruity taste, possibly mango? But as a mixing gin it's awesome. For a martini or white lady it's one of my favorites.
It's a well-made gin that makes a nice g&t, but it's quite subtle. Personally I like a gin that has more upfront botanical flavors. This one can easily be washed out if given much ice.
Fairly smooth. Creamy/very slightly oily. Juniper and floral notes (I can maybe notice the dandelion). Similar quality to Bulldog but not as light/brightly floral. $50 in Ontario.
Slightly sweet, juniper and apple (the recommended garnish). Smooth to start with, slightly tails finish and aftertaste. Decent value at £24 per bottle or so. Readily available.
21 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
