The Mary in Mary’s Select Gin is named for Woody Creek’s founder Mary Scanlan’s who led the creation of the newest gin in their lineup.
First, they take their Woody Creek Gin, which is distilled from a base of Colorado potatoes, and macerate an additional four botanicals. Rhubarb gets seven days. Elderflower and Yuzu get two days, and the color— which by know we all know— is from the Butterfly Pea Flower. Infamously pH sensitive, gins with Butterfly Pea Flower will change color in drinks that are more acidic.
But this is the key point here. While Mary’s Select Gin is a color changing gin, the maceration is far more complex than just the Butterfly Pea Flower. Four macerated ingredients make Mary’s Select Gin unusual in that it borrows a lot from the world of bathtub style gins as well.
Tasting notes
Color: Beautiful indigo in hue and perfectly transparent.
Aroma: Bright and citrusy. Sweet orange, lemon zest set amidst a melange of spring florals. Hints of violets, rose, and dewy elderflower round things out. By the aroma, the macerated botanicals are clearly front and center.
Flavor: Initially some citrus greets the palate with herbal lavender, but quickly some of the underlying gin flavors burst forth. Cinnamon takes on a woody and hot place mid-palate. Juniper, coriander, and more peppery baking spice.
Later, the warmth continues to bring the flavor— hint of slightly tannic green tea, bitter orange zest and some warm, forest floor notes.
Finish: Slight bitterness and sourness that leaves the palate feeling somewhat dry. The maceration gives Mary’s Select Gin a different texture and mouthfeel than a lot of gins.
Cocktails and suggested serves
Mary’s Select Gin works well in a wide range of serves— the gin and tonic might seem obvious, but the flavor profile carries it well in a gin and soda or Gin Rickey.
The beautiful blue hue is. double edges sword. It’s stunning in how it creates a striking Aviation but it’s a bit less aesthetic in a Last Word. Like many Butterfly Pea Flower gins, bartenders should be cognizant of the color. However, flavor wise— Mary’s Select Gin works well in a wide range of drinks. The floral/citrus which turns into spice/juniper is solid in a Negroni or White Negroni (note: not so white in this case)
Overall, Mary’s Select Gin
Some might find it a bit lighter in juniper than they would like— with some of the macerated botanicals dominating the underlying gin. However, even within the underlying distilled gin, there’s more spice than juniper coming through.
That being said, it’s an unusual and well designed gin. It highlights the some of the new additions— though they are most pronounced on the nose where not a ton of the distilled gin comes through.
Within the category of Butterfly Pea Flower Gins, I like it better than Empress, making it worth seeking out for anyone with a bar program that uses a gin like this.
Recommended in its category