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Having run out of Plymouth gin, I decided to try a new brand — Hendrick’s.

Hendrick’s is unusual in that, in addition to the typical botanicals in gin, they have also added cucumber and rose petal. The result is, well, more cucumbery than junipery. What I like best about Plymouth is its flavor. You can really taste the botanicals, especially the juniper, but they do not overpower the base spirit. In fact, the base alcohol and the botanicals work together to keep each other in check.

Hendrick’s is very much the same. It starts off watery, then a subtle blend of cucumber and other botanicals perks up your taste buds. Unlike Plymouth, there is also a little spike of alcohol and it has an oily finish. The finish is my least favorite aspect of the gin. It’s not as bad as Edgefield, which has a very oily finish, but it is noticeable.

Overall, I prefer the flavors Plymouth Gin and the oily finish of Hendrick’s keeps it from taking top honors in my bar. I’d certainly recommend trying it if you are a gin aficionado.