Portobello Road Gin: The Review Of A Rocky And Peppery London Dry
Portobello Road Gin is a bold and cheeky spirit that screams peppery arrogance in your face. It is not a cosmetic gin, American gin style (Aviation and 209) that tickles you and hides under a thousand scents. No, quite the opposite.
It’s a brawler, a wild youngster who slaps your nose with a spice storm, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good: it’s just very fiery. Quality, thickness, and charisma are there.
But we should not be surprised. After all, this is an old-fashioned London Dry Gin. It does not aim for the stars, but the substance and intensity of botanicals, especially the more earthy and citrusy ones, without reaching the power of a Plymouth.
You will not drink it straight, and you will not use it for a thousand cocktails. It is pretty spartan and moves on two parallel tracks: citrus and juniper, that’s all.
But rest assured that no one will ever say no to a good gin and tonic made with Portobello and gritty fragrant tonic water like 1724, very effervescent and full of citrus flavors.
How is it made, and what botanicals does it contain?
The production method is clean and crystalline. What is surprising is the study behind the blend of botanicals, which alternate with great dynamism and naturalness.
Double distillation of an alcoholic base of cereals, carried out in the mythical 30-liter copper alembic Copernicus The Second, a “relic” of the distillery and the attached gin museum. The botanicals are all pungent and moderately spicy to avoid the stylization effect, not too potent.
The botanicals: Tuscan juniper and iris root, lemon peel, Moroccan bitter orange peel, nutmeg, coriander, lemon peel, licorice, cassia, and angelica
Organoleptic characteristics
It starts strong with an attack of juniper and cassia, which is more delicate cinnamon, and then comes citrus and tones of ginger to result in a finish of myrtle and pepper. Overall it is sparkling in its simplicity but has charm and outstanding zen balance.
It does its dirty job admirably on the palate: it flows roaring with ethereal flavors in full evidence. The tone is dry and dry, almost glacial, but then it relaxes and opens up to slightly citrus flavors.
It goes straight on its way with a clear aromatic goal. It was created to mix great classics with vermouth and tonic, and there is no doubt that it is excellent as a “working gin,” it is awesome.
Price
30-33 euros. An acceptable price for a carefully made, rough, but good quality distillate.
Cocktails to do with Portobello Road Gin
Aside from the obvious gin and tonic, try it for spartan and fresh cocktails such as Bramble, Ramos Gin Fizz, Singapore Sling, Bronx, and Gin Fizz. Also excellent with vermouth to make Negroni, Tuxedo, and Cocktail Martini.