Review: Bristow Gin
Bristow Gin is a product of Mississippi-based Cathead Distillery, whose additional products we’ll be exploring in the coming weeks. But we’re starting out with this gin, which starts with Cathead’s vodka, infused with 10 botanicals for two weeks, then redistilled and brought to proof. The botanic bill is fairly standard: Juniper, Angelica Root, Cardamon, Cassia Bark, Clove, Coriander, Hyssop, Licorice Root, Lemon Verbena, and Sweet Orange.
It’s a juniper-forward offering, unsurprising on first blush, with a nose thick with earthy forest notes, lightly perfumed with notes of fresh and dried flowers. The palate takes things in a different direction, however, melding that heavy earth character with a surprising sweetness, heavily fruity with notes of lemon and orange. I was hoping to find these two elements in balance, but even after plenty of air time in the glass, they tend to clash, and the finish comes across as sharp and aggressive, making this gin work best in moderation (vs., say, in a martini).
94 proof.
B- / $32 / catheaddistillery.com
Bristow Gin
$32
