Liberator Gin

Rating: 19/23 N: Interesting spicy and sweet, with some clear herbal characteristics. It's bitter and slightly oily with a nice rootiness that isn't overly vegetal. There's some nice nuance and fullness to this nose. It's nothing amazing, but I do like it. P: There's a nice, fairly full gin profile with some cinnamon and maybe orris root. There'sa nice balance of spice and bitter herbs with a fullness that is sweet, but not at all sickly. This is a really nice profile. It's odd for a gin, but not that far out there, but it's tasty and balanced with some nice richness and fullness. This is a rich, full, balanced hint of decadence here. It's a bit different from a regular dry gin for sure, but it's a nice variation that is decadent and not totally out of line like numerous others I could name. F: Bitter, herbal, roots cinnamon and some other spices lingering. It's bold and long-lasting. It's tasty and balanced with a nice longness. - Conclusion - The more I go on, the less dry this seems, but the more decadent and balanced it comes across. There's a lot going on here and I really like it. It won't be the most traditional gin by any means, nor will it be the most interesting, but it's a nice variation that kind of fits into either camp. And it's very well executed. This is easily a 15 and I suspect that it is higher. Coming back to this, I'm amazed by the complexity and balance. This is a very weird gin profile, yet it isn't at all jarring. I thought that the low proof would be a problem, but the flavor is rich enough that it really isn't. Now I'm wondering how I could go as low as a 15. This is great. It's at least a 16 and I can imagine an 18. A 19? Well, Ransom Old Tom Gin (19/23) is sweeter with a bit of vanillin and oak to it, but this has some really nice mellowness and balance. Honestly, this is really impressing me. There's no way that this is below a 17. I'm seriously impressed. I'm thinking an 18 or a 19 and I can actually imagine a 20. A 21? I don't think so. Still, these are incredibly high ratings for a gin. I'm frankly shocked considering the low proof. This is competitive with Monkey 47 (18/23). That is to say that this is vying for the title of best gin I've ever tried. This, Monkey, and Ransom. Dang. I really didn't expect this, but I'm so stoked that it's such an amazing sleeper. I'm thinking that the Monkey is a bit better, but I've been thinking that I underrated it and it should have been a 19 for a while now. So, I think that this is better than the Ransom, but not quite as good as the Monkey. That conclusion just screams 19, so I'm going with a 19. What a brilliant gin! After a bit more side-by-siding, the three all seem quite close. It's a really tough call. I guess a 19 for all of them really makes sense. I look forward to the day I find a gin clearly better than them and worthy of at least a 20. This is just so mellow and decadent and interesting. I love it. Oh, wow - that last sip tasted better than Monkey. Could this actually be a 20? I think I'm jumping the gun on that, but I definitely need to re-review this at some point. This is simply amazing. What a find! If I had to rate my top three now, I'd go: 1. Valentine Distilling Liberator Gin 2. Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin 3. Ransom Old Tom Gin This is frankly a shocking outcome. Maybe this should be a 20. Maybe even a 21? I doubt the latter, but the former is seeming increasingly likely. Latest side by sides put New Riff Kentucky Wild Gin behind this, though the New Riff is clearly still a great gin. I'm sticking with a 19 for now, but I might change that on my next tasting.

Very floral and light. Sweet. Interesting. Not sure about martini gin, have to take care w vermouth choice. This is very much a "New American" style gin that puts complex but light florals and delicate fruits at the forefront., while de-emphasizing the juniper. 13 botanicals.

Very beautiful tasting, floral and wonderful and very smooth, I would drink again.

This gin is very botanical and earthy. It has a hint of cinnamon aftertaste.

Floral, not as heavy of pine as mainstream gin. Really unique!

Blech. Cilantro bleach.