Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is a relative newcomer to the gin category, launched in 2012 by gin enthusiast Steven DeAngelo.
The distillery is located in Brooklyn, New York and Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is made from organic New York state grown wheat using Tuscan juniper, elderflower, coriander, chamomile, elderflower, citrus, Ceylon cinnamon, Thai blue ginger, orris root and elderberry.
The gin is distilled in a 300-litre mercury vacuum still using vacuum distillation. The process allows the gin to be distilled at very low temperatures to preserve the aromas of the botanicals. At high temperatures, some of the lighter botanicals can break down and by distilling at low temperature, they release more of their aromas and flavour.
Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is bottled at 47% ABV. The nose is fresh, herbaceous, with notes of coriander, slightly floral with some spice and a faint hint of juniper. Dry and viscous on the palate, it explodes with flavour mid-palate as the juniper becomes more evident and finishes markedly long and warm with spice and cinnamon.
This is a gin that takes you by surprise. In some ways, it is similar to a London dry style but without the juniper punch. It invites another sip neat to appreciate the breadth of flavours and is remarkably smooth for its ABV.
Sipping it neat may not be for everyone’s palate particularly at the higher proof. In a G&T, the gin favours Fever-Tree Indian Tonic. In a dry Martini, try it chilled with Noilly Prat vermouth and a lemon twist.
This article was originally published on June 12, 2015 on our sister website Gourmantic.
