A small batch Scottish gin from the Balmenach distillery in Speyside. Caorunn (pronounced ka-roon), made with a combination of traditional and handpicked botanicals including rowan berry, heather, coul blush apple and dandelion.
Floral at first, with notes of heather and citrus blossom. Juniper takes shape as it develops.
Orange oil, rosemary and a subtle sweetness of heather honey.
Drying juniper and leafy herbs. A pinch of peppery rye lingers.
The smoothness of this gin is without the sharp edge of most normal gins, and turned out to be a wildly successful gin at a party we brought this to (folks who had never had it were very complimentary of the gin and if it were available in the States I would have sold several cases right there). The gentle mix of botanicals works well in a post-Hendricks environment, where people are used to something a little different. Nose: Still with the medicinal alcohol patch/resinous character of gins, but somewhat muted. Slight blueberry/blackberry (the rowan berry flavor I've never tried alone) appears and disappears. Lemon peel. Palate: Less sharp at initial taste than most gins. Very smooth, very moreish. The herbals mix well, though muted, as though tasting a soft woven carpet of heathery greenery. Finish: Long finish for a gin, returning to the traditional juniper-y "medicinal alcohol patch". Slight burn at the tail. Overall: Best gin I've had in forever, but different flavor profile than typical gins. [Why must it be out of stock when I'm looking to buy it? Argh!]
