Flavor Profile
New Deal Gin No. 1 is a self declared “garden-style gin,” and the term itself might be a source of misunderstanding. Among the most common uses of the term I’ve previously seen has been as a catch-all for gins which are not really gins altogether. Art in the Age’s Sage spirit calls itself a “garden style gin” as it borrows from the gin tradition or botanical forward spirits, but does so without juniper. Not true here, New Deal Distillery in sharp contrast to this other garden gin actually has designed their spirit around coaxing more from the juniper. Their pot still (and I quote) “allows juniper berry oils and tannins to remain as distinctive notes on the palate.”*
Tasting Notes
Color: delicate green/yellow, very faint
Aroma: The nose certainly highlights some of the piney/resiny notes of juniper. Hints of maple syrup and cedar add depth between a breathy mix of pine sap, sagebrush and bitter orange zest. The aroma bears to mind a suggestive portrait of sagebrush playa with the terpenic aroma of arctic air.
Flavor: The palate is oily and thick, with heavy, waxy, and herbaceous notes. The palate is rich with notes of pine resin, perhaps a bit more spruce/pine than it is immediately juniper.
Finish: Licorice, coriander, and angelica, with woody notes. Certainly this camphorous, herbaceous, pine laden finish with a touch of Seville Orange.
Cocktails and suggested serves
Negroni: rich, spicy, brilliantly sharp with a lot of juniper character, even at the sacred 1:1:1. Excellent, recommended.
Martini: a good herbal Vermouth is a fantastic pair here, and while I like the recommended Lesson No. 1 on the back of the bottle (2 oz gin; ¼ oz. olive juice; ¼ Orange Liqueur), I vastly preferred a 7:1 with Quintinye Royale and the Alaska Cocktail. This is a gin for Martini lovers though, truth be told.
Gin and Tonic: I wanted to love it, but I found it to clash with quinine and the sweetness lent it a really odd half air freshener/slightly cleaning solution palate. The same went for the Gin Fizz, It just doesn’t work
Overall
New Deal Gin No. 1 is perfect for gin-lovers who are looking for a good Martini Gin or a good sipping gin. The thick, herbaceous juniper and pine resin notes make this a unique, muscular gin which is certain to appeal to folks who think that there’s something missing in what most gin distillers are able to get out of juniper. It’s all here. But for fans of lighter styles, contemporary styles, or those looking for a good Gin and Tonic, those drinkers might be advised look elsewhere. An excellent, but niche, gin.
Recommended within its style.
*From the New Deal Distillery website.
Awards
