Gin - Miller's Reformed London Dry 90.4
Martin Miller's Gin, Inc.
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Miller's Reformed
Imported by Miller's Gin Inc, North Miami Beach Fla
PROOF: 90.4 (45.2%)
TYPE: London Dry Style - Westbourne Strength
AGE: Not applicable
PRICE: $28 - 750ML
First Impression: Witchhazel and Cassia, almost a mint, but not quite. A trace of alcohol not found in the lower proof version and somewhat less juniper in this incarnation also. Even at 90.4 proof though this gin shows a subtlety of blending. Like a Savile Row suit, the quality is shown through understated quality and craftsmanship.
Taste: Bracing, quicksilver, here and gone again, leaving a mild tingle on the tongue and a hint of juniper. Very clean, with a very interesting mixture of wood and citrus notes. Slight warming burn on the way down. A gentle hint that this is seductive, but dangerous - like all good things.
Appearance: Crystal
clear, but displays no legs. A trifle disappointing for those of us who
like our gin a little thicker in the body, but a statement of purity
and cleaness and of a light clear body.
Drinks: Makes a
excellent martini, but remember to adjust your dilution and cooling to
compensate for the slightly higher proof (in other words shake it a
little longer). That being said, it will chill better than most as the
higher proof seems to keep the botanicals blended better at a colder
temperature than most and gives you a lovely molten glass appearance. It could cater to a wide crowd of martini drinkers, a little less
botanicals than a regular gin for the vodka maritni crowd and a little less subtle for the
old style crowd who wants something a bit different. It also stands up very well in a gin and tonic which
can actually a more difficult drink for a gin to stand out in. Most
gins are good in either a martini or a gin and tonic- this one is great
in both.
Bottle: Blue upper label distinguishes it from the white label of its lighter 80 proof sibling, along with frosted sides proclaiming Westbourne Strength in a old style script (in clear letters). Silk-screened clear reproduction on the back shows an antique map which includes both Iceland and the United Kingdom as well as images of the botanicals infused into the gin.
Final Thoughts : One of sadly few gins made the old fashioned way in a copper pot still, a labor intensive method that has fallen from favor among most distillers. Only the truly committed (or committable) still use it to produce truly different artisianal style products, with heavier and more complex flavors than the column or coofey stills others use. Gin is a damn difficult product to make especially with a pot still but Millers Gin is a great example of the gin distillers art.
Website: http://www.millersgin.com/
Nice website loads fast, easy to navigate and clean design . Good information for both the trade and the public. Also, the people at the company are friendly and genuinely like what they sell. Not hard with a gin like this.
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