I recently had an opportunity to try Smooth Ambler Barrel Aged Gin. Smooth Ambler Spirits, from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, includes a portfolio of multiple spirits, includin
g vodka, gin, whiskey, and bourbon.
I haven’t been able to try Greenbrier Gin, the base of the barrel aged gin, but from reviews I’ve read, it is lighter on juniper than a typical London dry but includes citrus, coriander, and pepper. To make the barrel aged gin, the distiller takes half of the gin and ages it in new bourbon barrels. The other half is aged in used Old Scout Amber whisky barrels. These are blended together to create a smooth, aged finish.
Tasting
We found the Smooth Ambler Barrel Aged Gin to be quite interesting, starting with the aroma – of sawdust. That was definitely a new experience for me! Interestingly, the smell wasn’t bad, just unexpected; and actually quite pleasant. The taste wasn’t quite what was expected, either: this gin is smooth, yet not as sweet as other barrel aged gins I’ve had. At 49.5% ABV, it’s fairly hot, yet dissipates quickly on the tongue. While I find it a decent sipping gin, it shines in a negroni. The sweetness gained from the aging process balances out the bitter of the Campari perfectly. I’m looking forward to trying this in other cocktails – where I hope it will continue to surprise me.
Happy drinking!
