Anchor Junípero Gin (98.6 Proof)

Robb Report: "Distilled in a small copper pot still at Anchor Distilling in San Francisco, this aromatic dry gin has crisp, clean juniper notes that show through marvelously in a martini, though it is equally delightful with tonic. (10/1/09)"

****/Highly Recommended, F. Paul Pacult (Spirit Journal): "I see small amounts of infinitesimal sediment floating about; not a serious factor in the scoring but it's slightly hazy. Sports a lovely and vigorous upfront nose of juniper berries and is likewise pleasantly floral and grassy in the first sniffs; turns earthy, stony/granite-like and nearly chalky in the latter inhalations after a six-minute period of quiet aeration when the juniper fades. Entry is flowery and grassy and herbal in an off-dry manner that's firm but neither biting nor hot; midpalate is luxuriously velvety/oily, floral and mildly sweet. Concludes iwth a flourish of roots, brambles and juniper and it is here where the abv makes a statement as my lips smolder contentedly. Like it when I tasted it many years ago; I like it a lot today. This is no meek or meandering gin. It is straight and true. (Jun 2011)"

The Tasting Panel: "Distilled in San Francisco, small-batch Junipero is infused with a dozen botanicals. The lip-tingling gin is light, spicy and immensely flavorful. (May 2011)"

Wall Street Journal: "Solidly in the London dry style, but with a Western directness. Bold, unapologetic juniper dominates a highish-proof spirit. (4/11/09)" Producer notes: "Junípero Gin is made by hand in the classic 'distilled dry gin' tradition, utilizing more than a dozen botanicals in their natural state, in a small copper pot still at our little distillery on Potrero Hill in San Francisco. The history of gin goes back at least to the mid-1600's in Holland, but its true antecedents are much earlier, those first experiments in the ancient and mysterious art of distilling in the presence of herbs and spices. The predominant flavor and aroma of a modern gin will always come from juniper (dried berries of the 'common juniper,' Juniperus communis). But the wonderful challenge for the distiller is in selecting and blending from a wide variety of additional, exotic botanicals in order to impart a uniquely satisfying, balanced character to his gin. At Anchor Distilling we have taken delight in the adventure of researching and experimenting with many such botanicals. Our final formula must remain a secret, but we hope you will agree that we have achieved a distinctive, intriguing complexity in our Junípero Gin: light and crisp and clean, combining a deep and systerious spiciness with subtle delicacy."