St-Laurent Gin macerates with hand-picked seaweed to provide a marine aroma & this is mainly what makes it stand out of the other contemporary gins of the first craft spirits wave that started in Quebec these last few years. This unique product certainly deserves a place on your bar shelf, since nothing else comes close.
“…it is a delicacy for the taste buds.”
Gin
Produced by: Distillerie du St-Laurent
Type: Contemporary Distilled Gin
Region: Rimouski, Québec, Canada
Age: N/A
ABV: 43% (86 proof)
Botanicals: Juniper, Coriander, Angelica roots, Cassia bark, Licorice root, Lemon peel, Bitter Orange peel, Cubeb berry, Grain of Paradise, Laminaria Seaweed.
Appearance: 9/10
St-Laurent Gin comes in a clear bottle, a common feature in this spirit's category, even though it's not ideal to preserve the delicate aromas from the UV rays. It is topped with a waxed synthetic cork, a great way to decrease risks of oxidation. The label is very mysterious with plenty of bits of information spread everywhere. The design is intricate & looks nice on shelves. The liquid is transparent with only a faint yellowish or greenish nuance, probably coming from the maceration of Laminaria Seaweed. The intensity of this hue varies in each batch following the amount of chlorophyll in the algae. When I swirl it, there is a tangle of large drops giving the impression of a viscous texture.
Nose: 14/15
The nose is complex on this gin with a wide array of aromas from different families. At first I get an intense green pepper & pine needle aroma. It is delightful with all its slight nuances, from a black pepper tone, to something along the lines of flowers, think of lilacs & salvias. The it develops notes of candied lemon & orange juice, followed by sweet white bread. There's definitely a marine vibe going on as well as a forest & floral profile, which are enhanced by the citrusy aromas, the faint unripe strawberries & the lingering smokiness. A lot is happening, I could easily get lost for a few hours discovering all the mysteries that are hidden in this bottle.
Mouth: 14/15
The texture is definitely lush as observed on the visual analysis, which makes it full-bodied. It is slightly salty, with a faint sweetness, a nice ethanol burn & some light tannins. The aromas explode on the palate, each of them of great intensity. There's more black pepper as well as a definite touch of cardamom. The marine, the forest, the floral & the fruity notes all merge together marvellously. There's still a faint smoke flavour lingering in the back, only now enhanced by the presence of wet stone. Again, this is quite complex & could be enjoyed for long periods of time.
Finish: 9.5/10
The finish stretches out for minutes delivering all the subtleties of pines, lemon, wet stone & pepper.
Overall: 93/100
A wonderful gin providing a memorable experience. Perfect to enjoy neat in order to unravel its mysteries or in simple cocktails like a Gin & Tonic or a Tom Collins. There's nothing I would change in this spirit except for maybe the colour of the glass & a slightly more marine character. Don't get me wrong, I love St-Laurent & it definitely finds its place in my top 5. If you're only starting in the world of gin, don't be afraid, this bottle has been a gateway for many, it is a delicacy for the taste buds.
3-word Description:
Marine, Piney & Citrusy.
The Reference:
More information @distilleriedustlaurent.com
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