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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- Botanist with Trader Joe’s Lemon and Elderflower Soda
- I’m one of the worlds leading buyers of craft gin in the world and a international spirit judge AMA
- I’m blown away…. By how let down I am by this Gin.
- The Botanist 22 Gin Review: Perhaps the most overhyped gin around
- Dear Gin manuafacturers, if you want me to buy your product, please list your botanicals.
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In-Depth Review of The Botanist 22 Gin: A Overhyped Spirit?
As a dedicated industry insider and enthusiast, I continually strive to deliver honest, well-reasoned evaluations of spirits to help aficionados make informed choices. With over two years of experience working at a distillery and a disciplined approach to tasting—neat, of course—I aim to assess both the flavor profile and the integrity of each product I review. One of my unique metrics is evaluating distillery transparency and integrity, which I believe are vital to understanding a spirit’s true value.
Today, I turn my focus to The Botanist 22 Gin, a heavily marketed product that commands a higher price point and enjoys significant popularity among gin connoisseurs. Given my penchant for premium spirits, I entered this tasting with high expectations. I anticipated a complex, multifaceted gin with a lasting mouthfeel, fueled by the 22 botanicals that the distillery claims to use, coupled with a passionate and transparent production process.
Initial Impressions: The Nose
On the nose, The Botanist 22 presents a prominent juniper aroma, which is expected for a gin of this style. However, the scent is dominated by bold spice notes, with little evidence of sweetness, floral, or citrus nuances that often elevate a gin’s complexity. The aroma, therefore, was somewhat underwhelming, especially considering the product’s premium positioning.
Palate and Flavor Profile
Tasting the gin revealed a familiar juniper profile upfront—solid but not extraordinary. The spice component, however, proved overwhelming, masking any potential layers of flavor that might come from the botanicals. While I appreciate savory and innovative gins, it is important to evaluate each product based on its intended profile. The Botanist 22 clearly aims to be a non-intimidating, complex gin with a balance of sweetness, floral, and citrus elements. Unfortunately, these qualities are notably absent here.
The finish is one of the redeeming features: it’s persistent and pleasant, leaving a lingering warmth. Despite this, the overall flavor diversity was lacking, and the gin fell short of the richness and complexity I seek in premium spirits.
Transparency and Production Integrity
One commendable aspect of The Botanist 22 is the clarity it offers. The distillery proudly lists all botanicals directly on the bottle, demonstrating a commitment to transparency. While I lack specific details about the neutral spirit base—though it may be