Flower City Gin 1L

Originated in 1865, F. Schlegel and Sons flower nursery was one of the many that defined Rochester, NY, which came to be known as the Flower City. This gin's familiar juniper profile is complemented by a sweet floral character that will breathe fresh life into any cocktail.

Smell:  The nose is as implied, very floral, with notes of violets, roses, and honeysuckle.   Beyond the veritable florist’s shop of flowers begin notes of exotic spice, a touch of cassia bark, and juniper notes.   The nose clearly demonstrates a more contemporary approach.  A hint of citrus pith or greenery finishes things off.

Sip:  The start is smooth, and then unexpectedly quite spicy.  There’s a fair amount of cassia bark, grains of paradise, and other exotic notes that take over the palate.  These remain balanced with a surprising amount of sweetness to counterbalance.  As the spice fades, violets, carnations, and roses come into the picture with a juniper backbone.

Savor:  Transitioning to the finish it picks up an almost pink peppercorn like character which balances against a juniper and floral profile.  The finish is relatively short lived, but lingers with some spice. Flower City Gin is surprisingly floral and complicated for its price point.  The flavor of juniper reminds you that this is in fact gin, but the floral and spice notes drag it far away from traditional London Dry territory.  The result is a slightly sweet, floral, and spicy gin that’s pleasant to sip, but also seems ready to play well with other ingredients.