Review

New Amsterdam Gin

New Amsterdam Spirits Co. (E&J Distillers, E&J Gallo Winery), Modesto, California, USA.

New Amsterdam Spirits Co.

Famous across many continents for their wine, Earnest and Julio Gallo founded their company in 1933. Whilst they did produce some Brandy back in 1938, it wasn’t until 1975 that they started distilling Brandy as a long-term venture. They launched this Gin in 2007, under the name New Amsterdam (or “New Am” as some affectionately call it), as part of their continuing entry into spirits.

Made with 100% neutral grain spirits. The bottle, with its art deco style, is marketed as representing a Manhattan skyscraper.

New Western Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$ - $$.

Unknown.

Named after the 1624 Dutch colonial town, which was to become the New York City we know today in the USA.

On the nose is citrus with soft fruity, floral notes and a faint juniper aroma. On the palate this light to medium bodied spirit has sweet orange (citrus) and light juniper notes, with faint herbal undertones. It is velvety with no real discernable spice or pepper, and certainly no alcohol burn as can be found with many Gins in a similar price range. Sometimes we managed to find vanilla and candy notes!

This is a Gin you can drink neat, it is smooth and creamy enough, and has an easy flavor profile to use in almost any Gin based mixed drink - similarities have been made with Tanqueray Rangpur by some. Regular Gin drinkers will be disappointed at the meagre level of spice and low juniper content, and it’s almost cloying orange taste. Whilst it can be used in a Gin & Tonic or a Martini, these classic drinks lose out due to the general mildness and taste of the spirit. New Am have a collection of suggested cocktails, worth trying (many using exotic ingredients), on their website.

All in all, this is a good standard Gin for any trendy modern bar requiring a light flavor profile. Even we, as hardcore Gin lovers, find it hard not to appreciate this silky offering, it is priced to make this an affordable everyday tipple if one wishes! Gallo have certainly done it again – a high volume low price quality drink aimed at general mass appeal – and it ticks all the boxes with this aim. Targeted at Vodka drinkers, it can be a progressive step in palate education - see also Bafferts, Iceberg, London Hill and Vedrich Gin.

95 Points, Wine Enthusiast.

89 Points, Beverage Testing Institute.

Bronze Medal, International Spirits Challenge, 2013.

Platinum Medal, Spirits International Prestige Awards, 2011.

Double Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2010.

Platinum Medal, Spirits International Prestige Awards, 2010.

Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2008.

Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2007.