Review: Shortcross Batch 1 London Dry Gin
Free sample bottle provided by Atom Brands.
Shortcross Batch 1 London Dry Gin was Distilled by Rademon Estate Distillery for That Boutique-y Gin Company and bottled at 46% ABV.
Price: $41.00 for 500ml or $4.49 for 30ml
For this bottling, That Boutique-y Gin Company (TBGC) commissioned Batch 1 of a London Dry Gin from Northern Ireland's Rademon Estate Distillery, the makers of Shortcross Gin. While Batch 1 does not include a full list of botanicals, it does state that it includes blackberries and apples foraged from the Rademon Estate.
That Boutique-y Gin Company is an independent bottler of gin. Most bottlings from TBGC are either new gins commissioned from a well known gin distiller or they will buy a gin experiment from a distiller that taste good but doesn't match the flavor profile of the distiller's regular gin.
Independent bottlers have been around for a long time in the Scotch world. Johnnie Walker started off as an independent bottler and Compass Box is doing an excellent job of continuing that tradition. However, as far as I know TBGC is the first independent bottler to seek out and bottle limited-edition gins from some of the world's best gin distilleries. For years whiskey lovers have been able to seeking out independent bottlings of their favorite bourbons or Scotch whiskies and taste the nuances of a new blend or barrel carefully selected by the bottler. Now this same experience is available for gin lovers looking to taste a new gin from their favorite distillers.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: The nose has a strong note of alcohol that carries a pleasant bouquet of citrus and floral notes.
Palate: On the palate the gin has a light, crisp and clean body. Flavors of bright lime peel, and coriander come through with a slightly floral note.
Finish: The finish is warm and lingers with flavors of bright lime zest and lemon leaves.
Conclusion: Shortcross Batch 1 London Dry Gin is an excellent gin and I think it would work particularly well in a gin & tonic. On its own, the gin needs a little dilution to mute the alcohol and allow the wonderful citrus and floral notes to sing. That being said it will work well in a number of classic gin cocktails.
Thank you to Master of Malt and That Boutique-y Gin Company for providing the free sample.