Flavor Profile
In 1999, on the album titled 2001, Dr. Dre featured Snoop Dogg on the single Still D.R.E.. It only has 1.5 billion views on Spotify, so you might have heard it. In other words, if you’ve followed Dr. Dre or Snoop Dogg for even second, you probably get the reference in the name Still G.I.N..
Still G.I.N. is far from Snoop’s first foray into gin. There was the lukewarm reception for Indoggo Gin, plus his myriad celebrity forays into the world of gin including stints with Hendrick’s and Tanqueray. The duo of Dre and Snoop collaborated on a line of RTDs as well.
Now back to the present.
Still G.I.N. was designed in partnership with the team from “On the Rocks” cocktails. However, in press interviews Snoop and Dre have been careful to point out that this isn’t merely a celebrity endorsement. Dre said, “Everything is us from the ground up: the gin, the flavor, the packaging.” [source]
Process speaking, it features all natural botanicals, and vapor distillation. All of the botanicals are not noted, but a couple including jasmine, tangerine and coriander are mentioned in the press.
Tasting notes
Aroma: Citrus forward with floral notes— hints of sweet orange, powdery rose, mandarin and a hint of coriander. There’s a touch of celery and green juniper here as well.
Flavor: Early hints of Seville orange with a hint of coriander and spice. The palate becomes more intensely citrus, with vivid tangerine. Spice comes on in the back half, along with some of the spirit’s radiant warmth. You’ll get some classic gin botanicals, like angelica, coriander, and dry roasted cassia. Juniper isn’t the star, but it’s present.
Finish: Moderately warm, with peppery coriander, cassia and dark, almost resinous juniper berry. Moderately long finish with a pleasant, but pronounced warmth.
The đź’™ of it: A citrus and spice love-letter to the everyday gin drinker.
There’s something not too dissimilar from the approach that Indoggo Gin tried; however, this one reads as more authentic. Gone are the candied notes, and in their place are some traditional gin flavors and a bit more spice and depth.
Cocktails and suggested serves
Still G.I.N. isn’t single-mindedly designed to work in a Gin and Juice. But it does. However, where I think Still G.I.N. stands apart from previous Snoop Gins is that it is a versatile cocktail spirit.
Mixed drinks, it creates a lovely tangerine-forward gin and soda or gin and tonic. Pair it with cola and it might almost remind you of a Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla.
But it also works behind the bar as a general cocktail gin. Strong enough to stand out in a Negroni, the citrus adds a nice brightness to a wide array of drinks. Try it in a Tom Collins, White Lady or Last Word. It’s a bit warm, so its applicability in a Martini will depend on your personal preferences; however, as a workhorse mixer— it simply works.
Overall, Still G.I.N.
This gin almost seems perfectly designed to appeal to fans of New Amsterdam. It’s a more well-rounded citrus forward gin.
Some might find it a bit hot on its own; however, mixed that’s not an issue. Others will find it a bit light on juniper, which while true, Still G.I.N. knows its audience and knows what they’re looking for.
Designed for the contemporary gin fan, who likes a citrus-forward product— it succeeds. Further, it gets marks for being a contemporary gin that knows its audience while not forgetting gin’s roots.
Balanced, but a bit hot— it’s my favorite of the Snoop Gin products so far.