Gin Gents

Brooklyn Hand Crafted Small Gin

Brooklyn Hand Crafted Small Batch Gin

Brooklyn Craft Works

Website: http://www.brooklyngin.com

ABV:40%

Base Grain: New York grown corn

Price: $35-$45/750 ml

Review by Jim Trotman

All photos by Jim Trotman

“Brooklyn owes the charmer under me…” –Steely Dan

First off, thumbs up to the crew at Brooklyn Craft Works for a fine, tasty beverage. My first encounter happened toward the middle of an evening in which several sips had already passed the lips and I was not so keen to its charms. The biggest impact of that first chance meeting was the awe of holding the heavy disk cap in my hand. The thing is an absolute weapon. Who needs brass knuckles when you have a bottle of Brooklyn handy?

And it came to pass that on our second introduction, we all had on our serious gin scrutinizer hats.

Not that is affects the quality of the liquid within, but as I have stated before, presentation gets you style credits at the very brooklynrleast. The bottle is impressive. The pseudo art deco lines deep relief ribs in the glass make it so even Ryan Tannehill couldn’t drop it if he tried, not that he tries to drop things. Then there’s that (brass?) plate front and center. It’s like a cross between an Olympic Medal and a manhole cover. Together with the weapons-grade cap, the packaging reflects the industry and strength of character of that jaunty borough.

Inside, it’s a bit of juniper and a dose of citrus. It comes on fairly bold, yet with a neat smooth feel.

Beyond that, I just kind of enjoyed it. To make things even goofier, I discovered a perfect pairing. Seriously, I’m not fooling. Take note.

So I go to fill my glass, I was considering a bout with a tonic tag-team when what did I spy? Yep, Orange Slices. That gooey, gummy orange-like candy you always lost your first loose tooth in.

Took a sip, took a bite…. Whammo! Now I realize this is about as far from the ideal mash-up the makers of this gin every imagined and yet, there it is. I did it. I liked it. I told it. I’m sure there’s a Latin phrase for all that but it’s late and I’m late.

Really, try it.

Russ’s Review

 

It may not be smart to bring a knife to a gunfight, but as Jim noted, the Brooklyn bottle by itself could double as a weapon and that bottle cap weighs in a 3.35 ounces–about the same weight as the lead sinkers we use surf fishing when the waves are active but not too heavy.

But you didn’t come here to learn how to use your gin bottle cap as a way to knock a person out if used as a projectile.

You want to know how this gin tastes.

First–two adjectives sum this gin up: bright and refreshing.

When I first tried Brooklyn, again as Jim noted, it had been a longish night of food and drink and the Brooklyn came out late enough in the that that it’s difference from traditional London Dry gins was too much of a change of pace.

But the next time I tried it, fresh palate and all, Brooklyn strutted its botanical stuff enough to be worthy of the borough’s moniker.

According to the bottle Brooklyn hand cracks the juniper berries and hand cuts the fruit and zest into small pieces. They employ one Carl copper still and it takes them three days to make 300 bottles.

Pour this lovely concoction over some ice, or shake it into a martini and you will be rewarded with an incredibly vibrant gin that is super smooth and refreshing.

Pair it with tonic and the result is the same–the juniper is there–right where it belongs, but the citrus, which seems to be mostly orange zest quite simply makes the stuff taste so good you need to pace yourself–because you will want another.

brooklynuprThese folks have found a way to complement the juniper we love at Gin Gents while adding a new flavor profile that is nothing like Boodle’s or Bombay or Tanqueray, but far from the inferior flowery or overly citrusy gins that taste more like flavored water.

Should you buy and try?

Schizzle.

Harold’s Review:

Brooklyn was a really interesting gin, that I could find myself drinking as a regular.

It does have a heavy citrus aroma and taste, but I like that in a gin.  The juniper is also present, although not overpowering.

It had a smooth initial feel to the taste with no strong burn, and was quite good unadorned over the rocks.

It’s also in an attractive bottle with a stopper that could be a paperweight and all in all adds to its appeal on the bar.

I drink my gin with no tonic on the rocks, usually with a wedge of lime.

Just by itself with nothing but ice Brooklyn was a wholly fine gin for me…it brings its own citrus.

The label says it includes citrus peel and cracked juniper berries, which explains the aroma and taste.

Final Gin Gents rating: Compared to Donald Trump’s ego, Brooklyn actually has form and substance. Buy it and if you’re not driving, drink it irresponsibly.

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