Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin Review

Greenhook Ginsmiths Distillery is a new Brooklyn-based outfit headed by gin aficionado, Steven DeAngelo. The company launched an American Dry Gin in February and will eventually be releasing a full line of small-batch, handcrafted gins.

Greenhook Ginsmiths hopes to offer consumers new, accessible gins with more taste and character than what’s currently on the market. To achieve this, the distillery utilizes a unique method that diminishes the atmospheric pressure in the still. As a result, Greenhook Ginsmiths is able to reduce the temperature of the distillation environment to about 132 degrees, which is nearly 40 degrees below the normal alcohol distillation temperature. This is supposed to result in a more  aromatic and pristine spirit that captures the raw integrity of the botanicals. Let’s see how they did.

Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is fragrant and floral on the nose, with a nice mix of juniper and chamomile. On the palate it’s crisp and smooth, with lots of fresh juniper and spicy coriander, plus a distinctly sweet kick of elderflower. The flavors move toward citrus, including intense notes of orange – almost like orange blossom water – and subtle hints of ginger. It finishes clean and dry, with lingering notes of elderflower.

That’s an interesting gin. “American Dry Gin” is a good categorization, as it’s a far cry from London Dry style gins. Fortunately, its floral elements remain fresh and aromatic without that unpleasant perfume note that comes through on certain gins. It’s exceedingly easy to sip neat, and its unique flavor profile should prove interesting in cocktails, especially those utilizing fruit juices, aromatic bitters and aromatized wines.

The Greenhook Ginsmith’s flagship American Dry Gin is now available to New Yorkers at local liquor stores, while others can purchase the product online. Later this spring, look for the company’s Beach Plum Gin Liqueur, which is a variation of English Sloe Gin. And this fall, the busy distillery is expected to release a seasonal gin as well as an Old Tom Gin.

Stats:
– 47% Alcohol by Volume
– $32

CE Rating: ★★★★