Earp Just Juniper Gin

Just Juniper means what it says: Earp Distilling Co. makes this gin in Newcastle, New South Wales, with Macedonian juniper berries as its only botanical. There is no coriander, citrus peel or spice to round it out, so everything in the glass comes from the berry and from the way it is distilled. The distillery selects what it calls the highest-quality Macedonian juniper and bottles the result at 42% ABV.

Citrus · Spicy · Herbal · Earthy

Earp's tasting notes read peppery, citrus, piney, earthy, sweet berry and a hint of mint, which shows how much a single botanical can carry. Pine and resin come first, followed by a peppery edge, then a softer berry sweetness. The citrus impression is a brightness that juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary itself gives off rather than a lemon note, and the earthy side keeps the palate grounded. With a little water or ice, the sharper notes relax and the faint mint becomes easier to find. The finish stays resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary and dry, so the gin feels complete rather than stripped back. It also makes a useful reference point for tasting what juniper alone brings to other gins.

Earp suggests drinking it neat, with a quality tonic or in cocktails. A dry MartiniDry MartiniGin and a little dry vermouth, stirred over ice and served in a well-chilled stemmed glass, with an olive or a twist.Glossary is the classic test for a juniper-only gin, as the vermouthVermouthAn aromatised, fortified wine flavoured with herbs and barks; its name comes from the German Wermut, wormwood. Dry vermouth goes into a Martini, sweet red into a Negroni.Glossary adds herbs without hiding the berry. In a NegroniNegroniAn Italian cocktail of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and red bitter (Campari), served over ice with orange peel. Born in Florence in 1919.Glossary, the bitter aperitif and sweet vermouth bring the layers, and the gin supplies a firm, piney backbone. A GimletGimletGin with lime cordial or sweetened lime juice, served well chilled without ice. It is said to come from the Royal Navy, as a guard against scurvy.Glossary, with lime cordialCordialA concentrated syrup of fruit (often lime) and sugar, made to be topped up.Glossary, is another simple way to show the berry.

For a long drink, pour 4 cl over clear ice in a balloon glass, add 10 cl of chilled East Imperial Old World Tonic Water and stir gently once. Garnish with a lime wheel and a juniper sprig, and place the same garnishes on a small plate beside the glass. The tonic's dry quinine supports the resin, and the lime gives a clean lift.