Silent Pool Gin
An UK gin that has a special place in my heart. Silent Pool was the gin that made me fall in love with gins. I love the color of the bottle and the intricate drawing on it. The design is inspired by the actual Silent Pool pond from which the gin takes its name and uses the water, as well as the 24 botanicals used.
The old small batch edition was my Top 3, if not 1, gin. Silent Pool is what water from the Silver Sea in Narnia tastes like – sweet and clean. Angelica, a subtle hint of honey, chamomile and lavender form a calming and smooth palate, while pepper gives it a warming and complex finish, but doesn’t interfere with the gin’s harmonious palate. The Silent Pool on the market now (as of 2019) has a different palate from the pre-2018 (not sure when exactly) batches. My guess is that after then gin became internationally popular, the production went commercial, and the recipe got changed consequently, intentionally or unintentionally. It’s still a good gin but with a consistency issue.
Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin
Opihr is pronounced O-PEER
One of my favorite gins! Both bottle and taste stand out from the sea of London dry gin, Opihr is a very exotic and vibrant gin. Black pepper, cardamom and cumin make it spicy but not too much to lose the fragrance, with help from zesty citrus. I love it in a negroni! It’s a bottle that’ll take you to Aladdin world.
Nikka Coffey Gin
I’ve missed Japan. From Disney, Fuji Mt, wearing kimono walking those endless freaking stairs in Kyoto, to the sea of amazing bars and cocktails. Tonight’s drawing is my ode to friends who have traveled japan with me, thanks for making my memories splendid.
Nikka is known for its whiskey, but the gin is equally delicious. Yuzu and other Japanese citrus made Nikka gin zesty, Sansho pepper kept its profile balanced, clean and sophisticated. I found the US version has a lot more lemongrass and verbena than the Japanese one. A great gin for G&T, gimlet and sour kind of drinks.