Feature sixteen botanicals, The Ninety One Gin is names in commemoration of the founder’s graduating military class of 1991. To further celebrate the year, the base strength is also 91 proof.
Tasting notes
Aroma: Slight coniferous note of pine, with a note reminiscent of peppermint gum (a kind of eucalyptus, occasionally used in Australian gins). Dry spices on the edge, suggestive of pine wood, with dry coriander, cubeb and licorice root.
Quite a complex nose, starting with floral and herbals, with spice underneath.
Flavor: Bold and assertively floral, The Ninety One Gin takes you on a long unfolding journey. Lemon verbena, orange rinds, lavender buds, sage and peppermint scented eucalyptus— likely the metaphor I’m using for this combination of camphor and menthol.
Later, a note of mint kissed pine buds adds an assertive pine note. A touch of fennel seed, alongside some spice including coriander adds a slight nutty note on the finish.
Finish: Fairly long and pronounced, with a slight camphor note and a hint of dried rose petals
Cocktails and suggested serves
The Ninety One Gin is bold and will not be hidden by other ingredients. I suggest cocktails and drinks that play with these botanicals as the star— try the Gin and Soda, Gin and (Indian) Tonic.
For cocktails, I suggest pairing The Ninety One Gin with some of the notes here. Chartreuse nicely complements the botanical bill here— try the Alaska Cocktail or a Last Word.
I might steer away from drinks where a camphor and menthol note would be less desirable.
Overall, The Ninety One Gin
Memorable and distinctive, The Ninety One Gin is a bold gin that may find it splitting people down the middle. For those looking for a bold herbal and floral contemporary gin journey— and one that doesn’t taste like other gins— this gin is worth seeking out.
Those who prefer their gins on the traditional side may find The Ninety One Gin a bit too contemporary and a bit difficult to use to replicate versions of drinks made with other classic, well established brands.