Flavor Profile
Atelier Vie takes their much-awarded Euphrosine #9 Gin and rests it in white oak barrels that had a former life holding American whiskey. Euphrosine Gin #9 Barrel Finished Reserve has taken on a lovely goldenrod hue from its time in barrels and has added some lovely oak notes to the grain base and signature 9 botanical blend of the original.
Tasting Notes
Pleasant oak/barrel notes present mixed on the nose, giving it that tinge of whiskey-like goodness that a good barrel aged gin should have. Botanicals combine nicely within that: herbs, juniper. hints of sweet nuts, peppercorn and orange zest. The lovely accord on the nose doesn’t come apart easily, but it’s nice, warm, and inviting.
The palate opens up a bit more. Dry cedar/oak notes immediately as the spirit hits your palate. Buttery richness opens up revealing hints of pecan at first, herbal tones take over mid-palate with bay and herbs de provence; juniper brings a nice pine emphasis here. Coriander and citrus zest towards the finish.
The spirit is incredibly smooth and quite warm, adding depth and character on a medium-long finish.
Cocktails
Euphrosine Gin #9 Barrel Finished Reserve is quite nice on its own, it lends itself well to a Negroni or an Old Fashioned. My favorite other than neat had to be the Varuna.
Overall
Well made barrel-rested gin that imparts creamy, rich wood tinged notes to a sparkling botanical blend that still shines through bringing the best of the original while adding something new. Fans of contemporary herbal styled gins will find a lot to like in Euphrosine Gin #9 Barrel Finished Reserve, but there’s also enough juniper in here to appeal to adherents to the classic path. Really good aged gin and one that I think is worth a closer look among the rows (!) of aged gins currently on the market.
Awards
