Chemist Spirits was based by Debbie Phrase in 2018 in Asheville, North Carolina and just lately garnered consideration by being featured within the 2022 Daytime Emmy Awards present bag. I wasn’t invited to the occasion, however I’m all the time excited to attempt a brand new gin even when I can’t rub elbows with Susan Lucci. To make their American Gin, Chemist makes use of 17 botanicals: tangerine peel, peppermint leaf, orris root, rose hips, rose petals, juniper, coriander, bilberry, lemon peel, candy orange peel, bitter orange peel, inexperienced anise, lemon verbena, grapefruit peel, cassia cinnamon, angelica root, and grains of paradise. To make their higher-proof Navy Power Gin, Chemist makes use of the entire ones they use for his or her American Gin in addition to cardamom, Spanish orange, galangal, and ginger root. Let’s give them each a attempt.
Chemist American Gin – That is labelled an American gin, however on the nostril and palate, it hits extra like London dry. Their web site says that utilizing “conventional vapor infusion, the style of juniper is softened and flavors of citrus, rose, and aromatic mountain botanicals are highlighted” — however after taking a sip, I discover piney, peppery juniper notes come first. Later they’re joined by lemon citrus, rose petal, mild peppermint, and a contact of black licorice. With the gin’s barely larger proof, the flavors come throughout boldly and work collectively nicely. The upper proof additionally assist the flavors arise in cocktails in addition to with tonic, the place the citrus and an natural observe take heart stage. That natural observe would additionally serve nicely in a Negroni. 90 proof. A- / $49
Chemist Navy Power Gin – Though it shares a lot of the identical botanicals used to make their American Gin, Chemist’s Navy Power is sort of totally different. To begin, it’s pale gold in coloration, which ends from the gin being infused with Spanish orange and Thai ginger after distillation. On the nostril, juniper takes a again seat to light notes of orange peel, mint, ginger, and lightweight licorice. The palate follows swimsuit, however right here the notes are daring. Very daring. The orange peel is available in a citrus burst that’s accompanied by a beautiful, oily mouthfeel, and the mint and ginger go away the mouth feeling cool afterward. The proof level is excessive and hits laborious on the nostril and palate, however some persons are going to like consuming this gin straight due to its nicely outlined flavors and warming burn. I discovered it laborious to place down. Not surprisingly, the upper proof helps it stand out with tonic and in cocktails. For those who can deal with the warmth, this one’s a winner. 114 proof. A / $55
Chemist American Gin
$49
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