Bass & Flinders Distillery Orient Gin
It's in gins such as this one that the idea of making one's base spirit showcases the strength of the concept. Retaining delicate notes of fresh citrus is difficult when making gin. However, the wine-based eau de vie grips tightly to the charming mandarin and brings it to the nose and palate's surface. Asian inspired gins can be flippant and exaggerated, but in this gin, they work in tandem with traditional gin and Australian botanicals. In particular, the sesame and wattleseed work wonders with juniper, bringing out the woodier, nuttier notes often not showcased, and creating an interesting perspective on the established juniper profile. There's an undercurrent of fruit that offsets the dryness nicely, to create a fully realised, well-rounded drinking experience. Szechuan is becoming more popular in gins, and it has a fantastic effect in drying and lengthening the finish.
