River Mentana Venetian Dry Gin Review And Tasting Notes
We finally tasted the River Mentana Venetian Dry Gin. We were very curious about it. We must admit that this distillate was a pleasant surprise and did not disappoint expectations: it has a nice body, vitality, and a certain elegance.
But above all, it is one of the few mono-botanical gins since the only flavoring ingredient of alcohol is juniper. Therefore, it is a gin that dares, which wants to highlight the particularities of the Venetian terroir, enhancing the alcoholic base coming from particular wheat called Mentana (grown on the slopes of the lagoon) and the surprising aroma of the juniper of the Cansiglio plateau.
The most attentive of you will recognize the similarities with one of the most remarkable American gins of recent years, the mythical Death’s Door. The similarities are many, starting from the production philosophy, from pure wheat grown by real farmers near the sea, and the desire to make a unique product.
Finally, it is not the botanicals who dictate the rhythm with their aromaticity, but the raw material, the material, the grain, and all its nuances. It is the product of distillation that speaks, not a jumble of suggestions forced by aesthetic research.
The beauty of River Mentana Venetian Dry Gin is that it is not being embellished. It is born in a specific place, and only there it finds its maximum expression because the producers started from local raw materials. Once again, the world of distillation amazes us with a case of less is more, a pure distillate of the territory.
The bouquet
Many may find it too spartan, but once again, the simplification leads to an expansion of the taste. There are not a thousand spicy aromas from a thousand and one nights to dominate, but clear and more consistent aromas. As for the great whiskeys, it is the wheat that reigns supreme.
It is the variations of the grain that give flavor. For this reason, you will perceive aromas of malt, raisins, bread, and then obviously a whole series of resinous and balsamic aromas coming from juniper.
Two more words about this imaginative suggestion given by the juniper: it opens like a fan, it is delicate and modulated, and it is not simply an assault of the forest, but it brings to mind small berries, herbaceous, mentholated aromas, and a zesty fruitiness. The closure is almost saline, ethereal, and dry.
The flavor
On the palate, it flows straight and contemptuous. It moves brash, sinewy, and powerful with excellent gustatory dynamics, an acid vein that keeps the sip lively, and few concessions to softness. It is almost to be considered a meditation distillate for structure and cleanliness, more than a trivial Gin Tonic gin. Good spicy tips that intersperse the drink and illuminate with touches of ginger and mint. Overall it is lashing and structured, with an earthy finish.
How to taste the River Mentana Venetian Dry Gin
It gives its best when tasted in a cold glass. At most, cool it with a bit of ice but do not serve it at 18 degrees. If you have to use it to make cocktails, pay attention: the alcoholic base is robust, but the aromas are delicate. If you kill it with rough tonic water, you will feel only that. Best to use it for Dry Martini and Vesper.
Food Pairings
Raw fish, grilled fish, shellfish soup, curried prawns, and meat dishes from Indian cuisine, such as butter and curry chicken.
Cocktail to make
Negroni, Paradise, Tom Collins, Heidi, Bramble, Negroni, Gin Fizz, French 75, and Tuxedo.
