I bought this gin a couple of years ago when I first heard of bourbon barreled gins. I like gin and love bourbon, so this was something I had to try. Captive Spirits produces the gin and then put it into a used bourbon barrel to finish. I believe they can’t say that it is aged in bourbon barrels because gin is not an aged spirit. That is why the label says barrel finished, barrel rested, or just mentions the word barrel.
The barrel aging process gives this gin another dimension to complement that juniper berry and spice taste. The gin I tasted is bottle number 418 from barrel number 16-19. The bottle I bought almost a year ago was also from barrel 16-19. This gin doesn’t appear to be a fast seller, which is too bad. I have to say that I have enjoyed this gin and plan to keep a bottle on the back bar.
This gin uses a plain, shouldered bottle with a synthetic cork stopper. The label is printed in black and gold, which complements the light yellow, straw color of the gin. This color is picked up from the barrel during aging. Because the color is so light, the gin probably spent less than a year finishing in the bourbon barrel.
The smell is mostly the juniper berry with some sweet caramel notes and a bourbon smell in the background. The first sip is smooth in the front and middle of the mouth, but has a little burn at the back of the mouth. A spicy, juniper taste dominates at first in the front of the mouth. As the liquid passes to the mid mouth, the nice, rich caramel taste takes over. The mouth is filled with a smooth, silky vanilla caramel and lingering bourbon with chard oak. All of this takes place as the liquid moves through the mouth and to the throat. It is a wonderful flavor and sensation to be enjoyed.
Since this spirit has elements of gin and bourbon, I like to use the elements from a Manhattan and a Martini. So this one I call it a Manhatini.
Manhatini
- 2 oz Bourbon Barreled Big Gin
- 1/2 Vermouth
- 1 Marciano Cherry
Shake the gin and vermouth with ice until chilled. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with one or two cherries. This is a gin martini I enjoy every time.
