Martin Miller's Westbourne Stength Gin

 

Martin Miller's 

Westbourne Strength

Gin

Distilled in England

Blended in Iceland

45.2% Alcohol (90.4 Proof)

I'm going to start out this review by saying something profound: Martin Miller makes some amazing gin.  And I'm not just saying that to be saying that, they really do.  A few days back, I reviewed Martin Miller's standard 80 Proof Gin, which is easily one of the best gins I've ever had.  I compared it head-on with Bombay Sapphire, which many consider to be a top-of-the-line gin... and Martin Miller's was better.  So now, I'm looking at Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin, a slightly higher proof gin that seems to have a modified mix of botanicals.  Is it as good as the 80 proof?  Is it better? We will see!

Go check out my review of Martin Miller's 80 Proof for more of the company and founder's (Martin Miller, of course) backstory.  It's quite the story.  In brief, Martin Miller's Gin is distilled in England then shipped to Iceland where it is blended with the smooth Icelandic water, which seems to make a difference, actually.

Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Gin, like most gin, pours crystal clear like water.  It smells really quite floral, yet refreshing, with a good dose of cucumber aroma.  Most of the citrus notes of the 80 Proof seem to be replaced by the floral aromas, which is an interesting change.  You take a sip and get slightly sweet cucumber, juniper, some background lime, and an impressive black pepper finish.  The black pepper notes in the finish is most evident when comparing it side-by-side with the 80 Proof.  It almost catches you off guard if you just had a sip of a milder gin or aren't expecting it.  This stuff has flavor.  Lots of flavor.

Anyway, go check Martin Miller Gin out on Facebook or Twitter, they're having a COMPETITION.  For their Trading Up Competition, all you have to do is come up with a new version of an oldschool cocktail using Martin Miller's 80 Proof or Westbourne Strength gins.  Easy breezy.  

Go visit them.  

Enter your cocktail recipe.  

Tell 'em Bob sent ya'!

Drink This: if you want a very good gin packed full of flavor.  I bet this would go well with a bit of lime.

Don't Drink This: if you like weak, bordering on flavorless gins.  The Westbourne Strength has lots and lots of flavor.  Also, the spicy, peppery juniper finish is a change of pace from lesser gins and could catch you off guard.  But, it grows on you, I'm telling ya'.