New Amsterdam Gin

New Amsterdam Gin
750ml - $16.99
Cottage Liquor on Park

Okay, I'm sitting here watching PBS dive head long into the Swine Flue (H1N1 or something) virus here, so I decided it might be time to take a look into the liquor cabinet.

One of the perennial inhabitants of my cabinet is the New Amsterdam Gin. Some of you math majors out there might have noticed that its not the cheapest out there, but the thing is, its a personal favorite. The gin has charm. First, and maybe foremost, its available at the corner store. The corner store has a charm all its own, the idea of one, and this one in particular. The guys at the Cottage run a tight ship, and they're quick to make the regulars (at a liquor store) feel welcome. So, I reward loyalty with spending too much on a bottle gin.

The gin itself... well... from beginning to end its a rewarding experience. The name is a historical reference to New York when it was briefly inhabited by the Dutch. The bottle is nice enough to inform anyone who takes the time to read the label past its proof. So, its a history lesson. L and I have to love that. The bottle is classy. Its angular, sleek, avant garde, but slightly art deco. That air of art deco architecture is enhanced by the interior picture of the Empire State building that stares back at you through your ever decreasing level of liquid. Empire, style, grace, and gin, all come to mind here.

The flavor is nothing special. Its not particularly strong, nor does it overpower with juniper smell. Its not spicy. Its simply a safe, unoffensive, and smooth gin. (the label calls it diamond smooth, but i'm not sure where they're grabbing that rubric) But then, I've always found gin that's overly complicated to be pretentious. Its not that such gin is without its place, but that place often isn't on the bottom shelf.

I can't adequately explain the elegance of this lower shelf offering from Modesto California... and that makes me think I shouldn't have chosen a career where explaining complicated information through the English language was a major component. Oh well.

A G&T sounds mighty mighty good to me. * Here's to you loyal reader *

*Edit* - By far a 4.5 thumbs up, and a relatively smooth 2 pain killer for a 4.5:2 ratio. Might be the best thing we've featured here on the shelf yet.

- S