A Year on the Gin: Nikka Coffey Gin

This changes everything! I've been a fan of Japanese whiskeys and Nikka has been my favourite distillery discovery so far, but I was wary whether they could extent their talents to gin as well. Boy was I wrong about that. This gin stands out. The flavour is crisp and sharp with a delightful blend of yuzu and umeboshi with hints of tarragon and as a sipping gin it excels, but in a gnt I found it difficult to balance but with a sprinkle of mint it transcended it a lovely summery refreshment. Highly recommended. #gin #gins #ginstagram #nikka #nikkacoffeygin #nikkacoffey #ayearonthegin #gnt #booze #cocktails #alcohol #ginandtonic #mint #twitter #snapseed #iphone6plus

36 Likes, 4 Comments - Mach V (@djmachv) on Instagram: "This changes everything! I've been a fan of Japanese whiskeys and Nikka has been my favourite..."

A Year on the Gin: Elephant Gin

You know how it is: you're perusing the gin shelf looking for some inspiration, tired of the same old faces then suddenly... out of the corner of your eye... elephant gin is a German based spirit that comes in such an attractive bottle with a real actual cork and (kind of pointless) twine binding and a little lead seal and personally numbered label that it's actively waving to you from the shelf, positively wanting you to buy it and take it home. The nose is of spruce, arrowroot, orange and maybe... bergamot (?) the taste is very "gin" with a well balanced level of warm alcohol burn - it certainly has the punch of a London dry gin and enough personality to know that it was distilled with care. This is a good gin no doubt - one that warms to you the more you taste of it, but I think I would struggle to pick it out of a blind taste test. Tasting as ever using a #norlanglass #gin #gins #ginstagram #gnt #booze #elephantgin #snapseed #twitter

33 Likes, 1 Comments - Mach V (@djmachv) on Instagram: "You know how it is: you're perusing the gin shelf looking for some inspiration, tired of the same..."

A year on the Gin: Gin Mare

Huh. So I’ve been kinda daunted by the idea of tasting this one: Gin no. 14 is Gin Mare. With some really really odd botanical choices I was kinda hoping this would be the Gin that would explain martinis to me, and maybe it will but initial tasting was... harsh. Even using the norlan glass I could not lift the acrid burning taste of alcohol from it. The rosemary is just about there and with the juniper it does turn rather soapy, however with the overpowering alcohol it was a difficult tasting and even with just a shot in the norlan I couldn’t finish it (that’s a first for me). However in an gnt (with lime) the flavour is mellowed, the booze is subdued and the subtle olive comes through. Really quite clever and surprising. #ginmare #gin #ginstagram #ginandtonic #gnt #twitter #booze #boozereviews #snapseed #iphone6plus

A post shared by Mach V (@djmachv) on Oct 12, 2017 at 11:58am PDT

A year on the Gin: The Alkkemist

Gin no.13 is... The Alkkemist. Inspired by a glowing review from @veraginchannel I knew I had to try this Spanish gin so once pay day came (it's... rather pricy - £47 from Amazon prime) I ordered and waited like Scott Pilgrim for the bottle to arrive. The bottle is beautiful with a quirky Miro inspired stopper; a real good gin to give as a great gift for the gin fan in your life. Tasting it (via a @norlanglass iof course) and boy this gin does not disappoint. The nose is sweet, fragrant and slightly soapy - lots orange & lemon sherbert, angelica and spruce - and the flavour replicates that with other other notes such as rhubarb, grape, wafts of sherry, juicy fruit sweets and a hint of licorice. A really clever flavour that deserves savouring and appreciating on its own. Now this gin does make a song and dance about being distilled by the light of a full moon (which my rudimentary chemistry tells me will have no effect at all on the resulting spirit) but I have to admit there is something magical happening in the production of this superb gin. Save up and cherish. #gin #ginstagram #gnt #alkkemist #alkkemistgin #booze #alcohol #norlanglass #iphone6plus #snapseed #alcohol #review #miro #twitter

A post shared by Mach V (@djmachv) on Sep 25, 2017 at 3:13pm PDT

A year on the Gin: The Botanist

Gin no.10 is The Botanist. Tasting, as always, done in a #norlan glass. And... well... hmmm. There's very little bouquet to speak of (some spruce with that juniper) and the flavour is... dare I say it... rather pedestrian to my palate. It reminds me of Gordon's which isn't a compliment. I had to sit and let the flavour roll around fully before picking up some cranberry and grapefruit (maybe some licorice hidden away? ) and interestingly that's what are some of the suggested garnishes are in the Ginventory app. But suffice it to say I'm not impressed so far. #gin #ginstagram #ginventory #booze #snapseed #twitter #thebotanist #snapseed #iphone6plus

A post shared by Mach V (@djmachv) on Jul 24, 2017 at 10:23am PDT

A year on the Gin: Masons Yorkshire Tea Dry Gin

Gin no.5 of 2017 from the quite frankly awesome @diggeronthedex #yorkshire #yorkshiretea ##ginstagram #gin #masonsgin #halfcentury #iphone6plus #snapseed #birthday #taylorsofharrogate

A post shared by Mach V (@djmachv) on Feb 16, 2017 at 5:57am PST

A year on the Gin: A Christmas miracle!

It's a Christmas gin fuelled miracle! @mikocoffey has got me three superb gins (including the worlds most expensive gin: #monkey47 ), a plethora of mixers and a home made cocktail guide! And she doesn't even drink! All for me! . . #iphone6plus #snapseed #gin #conkergin #silentpool #silentpool #silentpoolgin #booze #cocktails #norfolkcordial #thomashenry #btwtonic #gingerella #doubledutch #fevertree #gnt #ginandtonic

A post shared by Mach V (@djmachv) on Dec 25, 2016 at 2:07am PST