gin diaries

so i like gin

and i wanted to keep some notes about the varieties i've enjoyed. this is a recent venture so i don't have detailed notes for most of these, but i hope to be a little more descriptive as time goes on. :3

my drink of choice, which i'm using to compare all of these, is a double shot of gin, most of a can of ginger beer, and a pinch of salt - cold but not iced, only because i never have my life together enough to have ice stocked on the regular. yes, this is heathenry. no, i don't care. <3

Citadelle Jardin d'Ete

july 2026

delicious. i love a citrusy gin and this one is very fruity and sweet from the melon and yuzu infusions. would consider this a favorite.

Brockman's

june 2026

tasty, floral, a little bitter on the finish. solid.

Uncle Val's Botanical: Zested

2024ish?

my favorite orange gin. so juicy, so fruity, i love it. i've bought several bottles over the years.

gin i've liked

for these i have pleasant memories but no notes. i may try to pick them back up over time, if only for science.

  • Uncle Val's Botanical
  • McQueen and the Violet Fog
  • Mr. Pickles
  • Gray Whale
  • Sunday Gin

gin i've had

The Botanist: my first luxury gin because Binging with Babish influenced me. don't get me wrong, it's very good, but it's more on the herby side and i tend to prefer a more floral or fruity gin as it turns out.

Hugh Wesley's Gin: negative association but i don't remember why - i thought it was because this was a honey-forward gin but after doing some research that doesn't seem right. i still have a little bit taking up space in the fridge so i might give it another try and report back.

Seersucker: i have literally no memory of it and was only reminded of it when i saw a pic of the bottle. it was probably fine but it obviously didn't make an impression.

Hendricks: not a fan, i think i found it very bitter and unflavorful and i'm not willing to buy another bottle to double check. i know my tastes are heresy, leave me alone.

Empress 1908 Indigo: this is fully anecdotal but the first time i had it, i got very uncharacteristically sad-drunk. the second time i had it, i ended up with a migraine so painful i threw up. i gave the rest of the bottle away. logically, i know it's pretty likely that it was just an unfortunate coincidence, but the whole experience kind of ruined colorful gin for me.

Tanqueray Rangpur Lime: oh yikes. oh no yikes help. no thank you.

well gin

to be clear, i never turn my nose up at anything a bar has on their speed rail. all of these are perfectly serviceable when out and about, but sometimes i buy the bottom-shelf shit for myself and when i do, these are my preferences.

Aristocrat: best well gin of all time. nothing burns like Aristocrat and i crave it. i haven't been able to find any in months though, alas.

Crown Russe: very drinkable. a perfectly acceptable runner up for the price point.

Seagram's: fine. not much for personality.