Gin - Back River Gin
Sweet Grass Farm Winery and Distillery
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Back River Gin
Sweet Grass Winery and Distillery , Union, Maine
PROOF: 86 (43%)
TYPE: American Dry
AGE: Not applicable
PRICE: $28.00 - 750ML
Notes: We discovered this gin and it's producers quite by accident and glad that we did. Not only do they produce an outstanding gin but also a vermouth and a cranberry and a blueberry bitters to boot! Pretty much a instant set up for a gin martini.
Along with producing some outstanding wines (from what we have read from others have not tried them ourselves), they produce some truly interesting products with some unique flavors and nuances to their products that you see nowhere else. One of the more unique points about their gin (outside of a great recipe to start with) is the addition of blueberries to the formula.
Appearance: Crystal clear, thick, scalloped edgeline develop on swirling, changing to a combination of legs and droplets on the side of the glass. Slightly oily/thickness to body (sign of quality and lots of flavor).
First Impression: Definitely not your father's (or mother's) gin. While juniper plays a lead role it is far from being the major standout component. Cassia and coriander backstop the juniper and make a more harmonious blend. Lots of coriander with angelica with the ginger root rounding it out. Net result is a much more aromatic, but earthy, spicy dry gin than usual.
Taste: Medium to heavy body with a lovely oily mouthfeel. Juniper, lemon, anise, cassia, and blueberries mix with the other ingredients to deliver a lovely spice spice bomb that will keep you drinking more to explore the mystery of what exactly you're drinking. Very clean distillation.
Drinks: Makes a
excellent martini - especially if you like a complex, multilayered and herbaceous martini (twist only! olive is far too blunt an instrument for this gin). Use their dry vermouth which we also highly recommend and one of their unique bitters for a Martini like you have never had before. Very nice gin and tonic with an almost chewy body to it. A unique gin full of potential mixology prospects, I look forward to explore it in other drinks and twisting some classics with it.
Bottle: Clear dark green glass, not frosted or fancy in any other way. Looks like a large beer bottle. With a simple but tasteful paper label, synthetic cork closure.
Final Thoughts: A very atypical (from a London Dry), idiosyncratic and thoroughly enjoyable gin. Cheap compared to many of its competitors and a must have for the discerning gin connoisseur. To steal a phrase from another review, if I could, I would replace my blood with this, it's that good.
Website: http://www.sweetgrasswinery.com
Website is simple and straightfoward, with useful information and resources.
