What if… you took some quality gin, produced in Belgium, and finished it in a whisky cask? This is the concept behind the NOG! Gin which is set to be launched next week. The label calls it ‘whisky infused gin’.
NOG! stands for No Ordinary Gin, but nog also means more! in Dutch. After his whisky and rum releases, this is another brainchild of Bert ‘Asta Morris’ Bruyneel.
The first edition was finished in the cask that previously contained his Dalmore NAS whisky. We can already give away that there will be a second edition soon, basically the same gin but finished in different cask previously bottled by Asta Morris.
Let me warn you that I do appreciate a gin & tonic as an aperitif (when there’s no decent dry sherry available), but I’m certainly not an experienced gin taster.
Nog! gin
(46%, Asta Morris, batch n°1)
Nog! ginNeat. Nose: quite assertive, with juniper, big lemon notes, hints of mint and liquorice. A floral touch as well. Enticing and bright, a very nice nose.
Mouth: slightly less assertive at first, with a fairly neutral, sweet grainy note. Then some spices (pepper, liquorice, maybe coriander) but overall not very pronounced compared to the nose.
With Fever Tree Mediterranean. Nose: Again very aromatic and highly seductive on the nose. It’s almost as if you’ve added a bit of lime and mint to make a perfect summery drink. I’d say pineapple cubes as well. A piece of grapefruit zest is recommended as a garnish – makes sense. It balances the nice candied fruity note in the background.
Mouth: the candied theme keeps going. Sweet, with some vanilla and marzipan – not what I expected and definitely amplified by the tonic. This must be the wood talking, but again I’m not an expert when it comes to (aged) gins. Lime. Sugar cane, a faint hint of caramel? A soft floral bitterness as well, but the sweetness is definitely bigger.
I love the clarity and wide aromatic profile of the nose. I had some difficulty with the sweetness of the palate, especially when you’re aiming for a (dry) aperitif, but that’s partly because aged gins are new to me, I guess. The vanilla and marzipan certainly add complexity that you will rarely find in commercial gins. I would say this is very much a sipping gin, one I’d have with different garnishes but without tonic. No ordinary gin for sure.
Nog! gin will be presented at QV.ID – 2nd of May and Crombé – 3rd of May. Probably in other stores soon after. Around € 50.