Flavor Profile
Firstly, the name. “Opihr” seems a play on the place name Ophir, a place of legendary untold wealth in the bible. In the case of the gin, it’s pronounced “o, peer!” The story that the botanicals tells is a romanticized narrative of the European/Asian spice trade, out of which the botanical accord of gin emerged from in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Even the word Oriental, hints at a simpler time when all of Asia’s vast bounty (and parts of baltic/Eastern Europe and Northern Africa) was reduced to a simple “other” by Europeans.
But in all fairness, Opihr Gin is truly Oriental in the way that the term was once used by Europeans. All but the juniper comes from the vast other beyond Europe. For example the Cubeb hails from Indonesia; black pepper from India; Turkish Cumin; Moroccan Coriander and Spanish Seville Oranges.
I say this to acknowledge that to some readers the term Oriental may be troubling. If the story in Opihr Oriental Spice Gin is one of European characterization of the numerous cultures of three different continents as a single gigantic other, then let us ponder for a moment, through the lens of this gin, how disparate food cultures can be brought together as one, and that story is worth telling.
Tasting Notes
The nose is intense with cardamom and ginger, with notes of toasted cumin seed and curry powder underneath. It’s incredibly spicy on the nose.
Sipping, Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin, it’s heart comes has a traditional gin juniper, coriander and citrus note. At first, it’s dry coriander and cardamom, then the juniper/gin note, finally the finish is peppery with black pepper, cubeb and coriander.
Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin receded with a lovely warmth, echoing coriander and ginger. Quite long finish, that almost leaves the palate with a clean, faintly menthol-kissed coolness.
Cocktails
It may not be surprising to hear this, but mixed, shaken or stirred, Opihr Oriental Spice Gin is a bit of a bomb. The spices are so loud, that they can take over cocktails.
Case and point, I think that it works well paired with ingredients like Allspice Dram, or Pear Brandies. Saveur’s recipes for this Allspice and Pear Gin and Tonic seems custom designed for this gin. A regular Gin and Tonic I find to be a little too much ginger, coriander and cumin. These are interesting spices, but ones that I don’t find as wanted in my G&T. And it’s even less my bag with lemon or lime. They just don’t seem to go.
And therein lies the conflict for me about Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin. It tells an interesting story, and has an interesting flavor Neat, but I find it to be really hit or miss in cocktails. I’d advise bartenders to try it before subbing it freely in most drinks. Home drinkers will likely find this to be as versatile as their love of heavily spiced spirits.
Overall, Opihr Gin
I find Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin and intriguing offering, from especially a mainstream distiller. It truly pushes the envelope of what gin can be. Fans of classic gins only are best advise to look elsewhere.
But for contemporary spice-forward gin fans, here is your conundrum. As intriguing as it is a spirit, it isn’t particularly versatile behind the bar. I prefer to sip it neat, but you might find your mileage will vary based on how much you’re in love with intense cardamom and coriander spice notes.
I get pepper first and then spice. This is one of my favourite gins. I mix it with fever tree tonic I find its not as sweet as others. I’ve tried it with lime and also corriander but it takes over. No need for anything in this just ice.
I found the level of Cardamom to be overpowering.
On the one hand it’s distinctive, to the point that it’s the only gin I can instantly identify.
Then again, it’s the only gin I’ve ever given away after opening.
Not for me.
Love this gin, but then I also like spices… Although this is nice just over ice, the best way to enjoy (imo) is with Fever Tree ginger ale – execellent flavour!1
Excellent favour gin . Great neat or with Tonic . A real spicy punch . Love it . 5/5
my drink for the summer in the garden, love it 5/5
I didn’t care for it much in a g&t, as you said. However, I surprisingly liked it in a Negroni, and found it to be absolutely perfect for an Alexander, so, maybe try that?
We mix it with sparkling coconut water. It’s our favorite! 5/5
I am sorry to see this gin being damned by the critic with faint praise. It is truly a unique offering. Consider pairing this Gin with a touch of Mango syrup and a squeeze of fresh lime. Your choice as to club soda or tonic, but I prefer the bittersweet note with the tonic. It makes truly excellent and unique cocktails if you know how to handle a more complicated product. I quite agree with the author that for those who favor a more traditional gin and tonic, to look elsewhere. If you have a willingness and inclination to think out of the box, this gin challenges you.
A strange gin. I have yet to find a combination for a G&T. I’ve done the Gin Buck, which pair nicely with an orange wheel. Makes a wildly unique Negroni. The bottle is stunning and looks nice on the shelf.
I like this stuff. The cardamon can easily become overpowering (if you’re generous with your gin pour like me), and I’d advice being careful with Angostura for the same reason.
In a Ramos Fizz this product made the whole drink taste like a cardamon bun, which was a pleasant surprise.
Try it with Fever Tree Aromatic. The tonic and gin perfectly balance one another and the pinkish color is lovely treat
Just bought a bottle, and I really like it. The comments on this site are great, and I am truly surprised that nobody here has mentioned making a Martini with OPIHR. That is what I started with, 3/1 using Dolin Dry Vermouth, a dash of orange bitters and a lemon twist. It makes a delicious, spicy, flavorful cocktail, and I look forward to trying it in a Negroni, with Fever Tree Ginger Ale, or Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic, as suggested by others here.
I’ve tried many gins. Bought this on a whim after seeing “pepper” mentioned on the label…and because I can never locate Uncle Val’s peppered gin.
I actually like it a lot. Give me a spiced gin like this over some of the overly floral, perfumed gins (like Nolet’s) any day.
BTW, the greatest gins are Tanqueray Number Ten, Detroit Railroad, McQueen’s and the Violet Fog, and Sipsmith.
This is my favorite gin for a G&T with Fever Tree light and – because I can never get enough cardamom – a dash of cardamom bitters. Now I’m going to have to try it in a Negroni and a Martini!
Also, it is “case IN point.”