Review: Beefeater London Dry Gin Summer Edition

Take standard Beefeater and add hints of elderflower, blackcurrant, and hibiscus flower and you've got Beefeater's limited-release Summer Edition gin.

At least that's what it says on the bottle. In my mouth, this tastes an awful lot like standard gin to me, with juniper top notes -- always big in Beefeater -- still dominating the nose and the body.

Hibiscus, oddly enough, is the most recognizable part of the additions here, giving this gin just a hint of floral character -- one that's probably enhanced by the elderflower in the mix, too.

But on the whole, Beefeater proves that, as with its "24" premium bottling, no matter what it adds to the blend, Beefeater is gonna do what Beefeater is gonna do: Dump a lot of juniper into the mix and call it a night. Yes, it's a slightly softer gin than you might be used to, but it's still unquestionably gin and it's still got that juniper kick. Bring on the tonic.

80 proof.

B+ / $19 / beefeatergin.com

Review: G’Vine Floraison and Nouaison Gins

In the beginning, there was just G'Vine. This upscale gin hails from France and is distilled from grapes, making it unique in the gin world, and its mild citrus-forward flavor made it a hit with Drinkhacker in the early days of the site -- where it was one of the first spirits we reviewed back in 2007.

Now G'Vine is expanding its portfolio with Nouaison, another gin with a different character to call its own.

We got samples of both the original "Floraison" (green bottle) and "Nouaison" (grey bottle) to do a fresh little review of something old and something new.

G'Vine Floraison Gin, as our original review notes, is a milder style gin, with juniper as a secondary player. Lemon and orange are neck and neck here, with a muted juniper backbone that gives it more of a floral character (hence the name, perhaps), than an evergreen one. Still a winner and an easy pick for any cocktail, simple or complicated. This is a rare gin that is actually refreshing, not off-putting. 80 proof. A-

G'Vine Nouaison Gin has a more traditional aroma, and juniper is clearly more present in the blend here. The body is harsher, and the alcohol level is higher (87.8 proof), and it's an obvious response to those who might have found Floraison too muted for their tastes. I'd say Nouaison overdoes it a bit in an attempt to dig toward London Dry style. Although there are some really intriguing characteristics here -- an almost cocoa-like silkiness and a touch of leathery tannin on the finish, not to mention the intensity of the juniper and other spices -- I find myself drifting back to Floraison as the night goes on. B+

each about $35 / g-vine.com

Review: Citadelle Reserve Gin 2009 Vintage

Citadelle isn't just releasing this specially-flavored (with 19 spices) and cognac-barrel aged (5 months) gin -- it's actually going the vintage route, with this 2009 edition recently hitting shelves.

Versus the 2008 version, the only difference in recipe I can tell is one month less in oak: 5 months vs. the 2008 bottling's 6 months. It's still a hazy golden hue, with spice and citrus, and a little vanilla finish imparted by the time in cask. Just as good as the 2008 -- perhaps a little smoother, even. I like it a lot and recommend it just as highly as last year's model.

Even better: It can now be found for cheaper than the 2008, about $5 less per bottle. Win.

A / $35 / citadellegin.com

Review: Bulldog Gin

Yes Virginia, they still make gin in England, despite all the Johnny-come-latelys operating out of the States and other countries.

In fact, you might say they still make the best gin in England, as time and time again these blokes prove that they can't be beat when it comes to flavoring neutral spirits with the little berries off of evergreen trees.

Bulldog Gin is a quadruple distilled spirit, 80 proof, that hails from London proper. Infused with the traditional botanicals, it adds to the mix considerably by including in its ingredient list dragon eye (aka longon), poppy, lotus leaves, lemon, almond, cassia, lavender, orris, licorice, angelica, coriander, and of course juniper.

The result is distinctly gin but hardly something I'd call a "bulldog." The spirit is actually quite delicate and mild, a harsh rebuke to the over-greened Beefeaters of the world. Picking out the flavorings is tricky. The juniper is certainly the strongest, but I also get a lot of lemon, then the lavender and the licorice. (But rest assured it's not absinthy in any way.)

Best of all, Bulldog isn't harsh but is quite smooth and easy to drink solo, rare for a lot of gins. Whether you're a tonic type or want a slightly unusual martini, Bulldog is an excellent pick, one of the best gins on the market today and at a great price.

A / $25 / bulldoggin.com