New Amsterdam Gin

Proof: 80
Color: clear
Nose: citrus and juniper
Taste: lemon, lime, juniper
Finish: crisp
Value: compared to other gins in its price range, VERY good deal!

If you only drink Plymouth or St. George, and you only drink your gin Up, Over, or in a very dry Martini: No, this is NOT the gin for you.

If, however, you enjoy the classic Bond Vesper cocktail, a nice Ramos Gin Fizz, a Gin & Tonic with a proper squeeze of lime, or a CORRECT Martini with a decent amount of dry vermouth and a lemon twist: Yes, this should be in your home bar. The gin you get is worth far more than the price you pay.

In the “let’s not mince words” department: New Amsterdam Gin is practical, approachable, mixable, and flexible. Get it. If you hate it, track me down and I’ll take it off your hands.

In its price point, compare New Amsterdam to Gilbey’s or Gordon’s, (not Tanqueray 10, Plymouth, or Old Raj) and you’ll find that it serves its job as a mixing gin just fine. Again, this isn’t going to suit many who prefer sipping gin straight. But then, if you’re doing that, you likely have one “perfect” gin already and wouldn’t bother reading reviews anyway.

New Amsterdam Gin is practical, approachable, mixable, and flexible.

On the other hand, if you’re like me and you sip a real Martini or a Gin & Tonic before dinner nearly every night, the price tag & taste of New Amsterdam are good things, indeed.

This is a citrusy gin.  The guys in Modesto, CA didn’t skimp on floral aromatics nor on juniper, but they all take a backseat to citrus.  And that’s why New Amsterdam is PERFECT in a Vesper or a G&T. If bars used New Amsterdam as their well gin, I’d NEVER complain when they skimp on the lime in my G&T.

On my Gin scale from:

Citrus – – – – Juniper – – – – Floral

New Amsterdam sits one peg up from Citrus.  The citrus is clean and does a great job of taking away the “disinfectant” scent you get from most gins at the less-than-$20 price point.

If bars used New Amsterdam as their well gin, I’d NEVER complain when they skimp on the lime in my G&T.

If you’re like me, and you’re ok with having multiple bottles of gin in your home, New Amsterdam could easily find a place as your base gin for a:

• Gin & Tonic
• a proper Martini
• Vesper cocktail
• Chartreuse Martini
• Ramos Gin Fizz
• Wedding Belle

While it’s not quite as versatile as Bluecoat, not as singular as Plymouth, nor as sublime as Beefeater, this is still a solid inexpensive gin.

Final Rating: 89 out of 100