Helsinki Dry Gin

Flavor Profile

Another day of Ginvent, another Impression of a new gin. Today: Helsinki Dry Gin.

I sometimes wonder if we’re finally reaching that breaking point where we won’t be encountering more “the first ______[type of spirit]_______ distillery in ______[fairly well known city or place]________ in ___[number greater than 100]___ years. But not so!

Helsinki Distilling Company is the first distillery in Helsinki since the century before the last one. The origin of the botanicals are proudly shared: the Lingonberries are local and Finnish; the Juniper comes from the Balkans; the Seville Oranges… come from Seville. In addition, there’s lemon, fennel, coriander, angelica and rose. As is becoming more common, it maintains the intensity of its botanicals by not chill filtering it. So gin aesthetic purists, you might find catch yourself crying in your cloudy Martini [further clouding it, oh cruel irony!] A little Ouzo effect never bothered me.

Tasting Notes

Helsinki Dry Gin is a  little bit foresty on the nose, with angelica, coriander, fresh crushed juniper berry, and some citrus. The palate is rife with resinous juniper, bold notes of spruce and pine. What a green, truly foresty middle ground*.Bitter citrus later with hints of tart cranberry, anise, and a musky floral finish. Fairly long finish, with a pleasant warmth. Resinous juniper seems to endure on the back of the throat, long after the spirit has subsided.

Cocktails

It’s actually quite nice, and I really like the foresty flavor profile of Helsinki Dry Gin. I think this is a top choice for a Martini in my book, benefitting nicely from the addition of some bitter botanical notes; however, it seems a natural fit in an Alaska Cocktail or a Last Word as well. Good with tonic, but I think I might prefer it neat or in a cocktail to a mixed drink. Considering that oily, rich, thick botanical bouquet is what makes the distinct pleasure of Helsinki Dry Gin, I think its best to stick to what highlights it.

Overall

Foresty, Helsinki Dry Gin may be an example of an Alpine style gin. In short, I think it’s a contemporary focused gin that starts with a lot of foresty, green, juniper/pine notes, but those Lingonberries and Rose add a rich touch that really helps the gin stand out.

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