A complex gin with layers of flavor, and which makes a killer gin and tonic.
Review Dillon’s Unfiltered Gin 22
Made in: Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, Beamsville, Ontario, Canada
Base: Grapes
Method: Vapor infused in a copper pot still.
43% alcohol/86 proof
Botanicals 22: Juniper is the only one we know for certain.
Style: Modern Gin
Unfiltered gin isn’t something we see very often, but when I do see it I generally love it. It has a quality we associate more with absinthe due to the particulate, in that it can “loosh” and when chilled with an adequate amount of water, and turn a milky color. It doesn’t affect the flavor, but it’s an interesting effect.
It’s also a very intense gin because of the lack of filtering. It’s got plenty of flavor, and a very interesting one at that because of all of the flavors imparted during the distilling process.
I should note that the bottle I tasted is from batch 89. Until I crack another bottle (or two) I can’t say what the consistency in flavor really is. Based on discussions I’ve had with other people who’ve tasted it, there may be some slight differences - or of course different taste buds may taste different things, and with 22 botanicals there are a lot of things to taste.
Tasting notes
The nose is very floral, with pine, citrus, and licorice as a supporting cast, with maybe a trace of eucalyptus at the very end.
Neat this gin, had quite a bit of heat to it, and it didn’t lose a lot of that quality until it was chilled a bit over ice. In that it’s a drink that shouts outs that it’s a gin, and a potent one.
Flavor-wise, there is citrus, juniper, lavender, orris root, licorice, pepper, and again what seems to be the heat of eucalyptus. The citrus definitely is on the undercard here.
This is a bold flavor profile, complex, with layers of sweetness, heat, and spice.
The mouthfeel is silky and dry with a slight lingering sweetness.
Mixability:
For those who like it bold this will be a very good gin straight up or on ice. But personally I found it a bit harsh until it was well diluted.
I liked it in a martini, and found that I thought I could taste a hint of cinnamon to go with the jumper and licorice notes. I think dry is the way to go here.
Where this gin really shined however was in the gin and tonic. This was a true wow when mixed with a good quality tonic water. In fact I’d say this gin was a winner even if you used it just for making G&T.
To mix it up with something a bit more complex I decided to make a Verdant Lady. It handled the strong flavors very well, and I think it would be excellent in an Aviation Cocktail.
Overall:
I liked this gin. It was a bit harsh, but I loved the layers of flavors I found in different drinks. I think it will appeal to anyone who likes stronger gins, and navy strength gins. It’s not classic in any way, but it’s good.
Flavor profile
spice 4/5
herbal: 3/5
Juniper 2/5
Floral 4/5
Citrus 3/5
Heat 4/5
Overall rating: 87. A flavor packed gin with licorice and lavender flavors that stand out.
What you need to know about reviews: All my reviews are my honest opinions based upon my own personal tasting. I am NOT a paid reviewer, and no compensation was given, or expected. I may from time to time choose to do a second review and amend my opinion of a product, should I feel like it, and find my review criteria has evolved, or that I’ve found it different at a later date. That said, as I’m unlikely to repurchase anything I thought was less than very good to excellent, it would be by chance or at the request of a distiller who thought I rated them very unfairly - BUT even then, whatever you get will always be my honest opinion.