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Las Californias Nativo Gin
About Las Californias Nativo Gin
Las Californias Nativo Gin is produced by Bodega y Destilería de las Californias. A relatively new brand that launched their first Gins just a few weeks ago, Las Californias is inspired by a particular region – the California landscape that straddles both sides of the U.S. -Mexican border. Using botanicals present in the region, Las Californias aims to reflect the interconnectedness of an ecosystem that transcends man-made borders.
This particular bottle of Nativo Gin uses botanicals that are all native to the area. These botanicals include california juniper, yerba santa, damiana, kelp, californian hops, white sage, and california artemisia. The final product is distilled at an undisclosed location in Mexico.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 42%
❖ Distillery: Undisclosed
❖ Aging: N/A
❖ Price Point: Upper Moderate Price
Tasting Notes
Nose:
❖ juniper
❖ damiana
❖ sage
❖ licorice
❖ seaweed
❖ pine
❖ white pepper
❖ floral
❖ earthy
Palate:
❖ minerality
❖ chamomile
❖ spearmint
❖ pepper
❖ earthy
❖ floral
My Tasting notes
I took a whiff of this Gin, and the aroma was immediately smooth and sweet. The nose notes were hard to pick out individually, but together created a pleasant and relaxing scent. After several sniffs, a bit of spice came out, but the exact spices weren’t clear. Overall, there is something water-like and clean about the aroma.
I began to take my first sip, and it was spicy and a bit bitter. However, the bitterness wasn’t unpleasant or harsh, but rather like the feeling of tasting a bitter herb. As I continued, the flavor became more sweet, though still bitter at the same time. In this way, I could really tell that the spirit was designed for cocktails. By my fourth or fifth sip, I could begin to pick out some botanical notes, particularly the juniper and pine. The overall flavor was leafy and peppery.
Cocktail
For my cocktail, I wanted to try out the Deep Cleanse. I first heard about this cocktail from the good folks at Sips and Scripts, although they themselves got the recipe elsewhere. Either way, I thought that aloe vera would pair well with the advertised flavor notes of this Gin – and also make a refreshing summer cocktail!
Deep Cleanse
❖ 2oz Gin
❖ 2oz aloe vera juice
❖1/2oz simple syrup
❖ 1/4oz lime juice
❖ 3 cucumber slices
- Add the cucumber slices and simple syrup to a shaker tin, and gently muddle them together.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish if desired.
This cocktail was absolutely delicious, and the Las Californias Nativo Gin complemented the flavors nicely. Recipe-wise, the drink was very sweet. Depending on your taste, you might want to skip the simple syrup or find an aloe juice brand with minimal sugar. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, though, and found it perfect.
By my third sip of this cocktail, the Gin’s botanical notes began to come out. The flavors were vaguely beachy and herbal. There was also an earthy quality that had a distinct sense of place. I vividly pictured myself walking through the aisles of a handmade bead store I lived near as a child, where many of the beads were made of clay. In addition to the earthy notes, the floral notes also reminded me of the various incense and soap products sold at the same bead store. These flavors complemented the aloe and lime nicely.
Bottom Line
RATING: 5/5
Overall, I was impressed with Las Californias Nativo Gin. The flavors were interesting, but also nicely understated inside a cocktail. The alcohol is extremely smooth, which I really appreciate in my Gin.
This bottle is a bit of a splurge, but I personally think the quality matches the price. If you enjoy experiencing complex contemporary Gins, Las Californias Nativo absolutely must be on your list! I can’t wait to enjoy it in a lot more cocktails, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys this style of spirit.
As always, drink responsibly.
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