Waymar Gin House’s Ambrosia Series ages their Waymar Gin House Signature Gin in various barrels.
Vino de Naranja is an unusual, and less common style of wine that hails from Andalucia, Spain. Seville Orange peels are macerated in a white wine, followed by barrel aging. Often times, these wines are aged using a Solera approach.
Tasting notes
Color: Sandy Taupe in hue and transparent
Aroma: Citrus forward on the nose— while I want to read that into the barrel, some of the jammy orange notes come from their source gin. Complex and darker than their flagship gin, there’s notes of dried grapefruit rind, Fino Sherry and vanilla custard.
Flavor: Moderately spicy at first entry on the palate, barrel character also comes through early. Spiced orange slices quickly are greeted by lightly charred oak, hints of Fino Sherry (I know the barrel here isn’t Fino Sherry— but that’s the flavor I get) and cinnamon dusted vanilla custard
The later part of the palate is a bit more spice-forward in terms of botanicals. Lots of cinnamon, but also some dry notes of fresh cut cedar with a hint of dry vermouth.
A complex and evolving palate. The flavor is predominantly situated in some of those dessert metaphors with custard and orange; however, the barrel and wine character is present throughout.
Finish: Moderately dry, with a hint of oaked chardonnay, dried ginger powder, bitter orange zest and a delicate hint of slightly smoky, Madagascar Vanilla Bean pod.
Cocktails and suggested serves
As with many bold barrel-rested gins, Waymar Gin House Gin aged in Vino de Naranja Barrels is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Even an Old Fashioned presentation might be overkill, given the complexity of the source material. If you do go that route, I find it works well in both matching (Orange Bitters) and contrast (Lavender Bitters).
Overall, Waymar Gin House Gin aged in Vino de Naranja Barrels
The Waymar Gin House Ambrosia Series celebrates a diverse range of barrels. While this might be the most unusual barrel, the impression is perhaps the most familiar. This is a cozy barrel aged gin that reminds me a bit of Grand Marnier, but with a touch more wood.
Nicely balanced, fans of aged gins should seek out the Ambrosia series in general. This one is bright, complex and a celebration of citrus— both in the source gin and the barrels it rested in.