Location: Home > food > Taste Test: Bulldog Gin
Taste Test: Bulldog GinPosted Apr 14th 2007 7:41PM by Sarah J. GimFiled under: Gin, Raves & Reviews, New Products, America, SpiritsJonathon covered Bulldog Gin last fall, as part of his master Gin Notes series on every brand of gin out there on the market, but I thought I'd give it a taste test and review. The PR firm sent me a sample to try, and I am providing you with an additional perspective, particularly since I don't like gin at all.As far as marketing goes, Bulldog has entered the market well. I love Bulldog Gin's bottle. Like a real bulldog, it it short and stocky, and has a rather fierce, intimidating look with its all-black color and no-nonsense printing of its name in plain block, all capital lettering. The neck of the bottle is shaped like a studded dog collar. As far as presentation goes, Bulldog has done a good job.Now, before I get to how Bulldog Gin tastes, I have to re-iterate that I am not only not a gin-drinker, but I happen to almost-hate the stuff. Oddly enough, Sapphire and tonic used to be my signature drink, but one day, it totally hit me that gin tastes like a Christmas tree. Even though I knew that gin tasted of juniper berries, thinking of Christmas trees turned me off from it. It so weird how the brain works sometimes.Back to Bulldog. I decided to try the gin straight to make sure I was giving it the best, purest taste test. I held my breath, then of course, had to release since you can't taste anything if you're holding your breath, then braced myself for the overpowering taste of liquid Christmas tree.It wasn't nearly as strong as I would have thought. Though there was the familiar taste of gin, strangely enough, it was milder. What turned Jonathan off from it -- "when I tried it with water and on the rocks a bit more flavor came out but nothing to brag about. While this gin is pleasant it didn't do much for me because it was so light in flavor, more like a vodka wishing it was a gin, and not the real deal" -- is exactly what made it okay for me. Of course, I couldn't continue drinking the whole thing straight, so I mixed it with various other mixers. With tonic, it still tasted a little too much like gin, but with fruit juices, it was better. I decided that it tasted the best with a splash of white grape juice.I am a vodka drinker, so given my choice, I would still always choose a vodka cocktail over any other, but if I have to drink gin, I think I might be okay with Bulldog. If you're like me, you might also be okay with Bulldog, but for a serious gin connoisseur, I'd go with Jonathan's opinion.
|
Artical Related:
Gin Notes: Quintessential London Dry Gin
Gin Notes: Bulldog Gin
Thursday Happy Hour: The St. Divine Martini
Gin Notes: Gale Force Gin
Yellow beans fulfill their destiny in a summery salad
