I tried to go through some of the 100-odd samples I have in my backlog during our Scotland trip. I didn’t get very far of course because you buy new stuff, and beers, and you go out for food too. I did try two non-whisky drinks that I want to get out of the way.

Both are done by Master of Malt and they’re the Brown Drink (batch 2) and the Cask-Aged Gin (I think it was batch 2 as well).

Brown Drink, batch 2, 42.8%
At first the big notes of gin and tequila hit me. Big, big notes of aloe vera. I think I remember batch 1 to much more whisky based. It’s crisp though, with cucumber, lime, lemon but those aloe hints make it quite a bit like shampoo to me. A bit later it veers towards rum, more mint and lime so very much mohito like. The palate is more ginny again with lemon, limo, cucumber but also fruit juice, wood and a slightly drying thing. The finish goes down the same road with more spices and dry wood. (At Master of Malt)

Master of Malt’s Cask Aged Gin

Cask-Aged Gin, batch 2, 43.3%
Professor Cornelius Ampleforth (aka Ben) keeps on doing projects with known products with a little twist. Again aloe vera? It’s not the glass since this was tasted on a different night. A bit like hand creme. Sun screen, lemon oil, that waxy stuff from fresh lemon peels. The palate has that thick lemon curd like oily feel again. Nice, but again with aloe vera. Some wood and slightly spicy with pepper and, strangely, the fizzy feeling from 7-up or sprite. Rosewater and sugar too. The finish is a bit more crisp with lemon oil. Tasty stuff, this. (At Master of Malt) There are still some samples of batch 4 available.

While I am not a fan of aloe vera, especially not in drinks, this gin is rather tasty and I wouldn’t mind tasting more stuff like it. Still not a gin fan like I like whisky so I try to refrain from buying any bottles. The brown drink wasn’t right down my alley with a too big mix of random flavours. I love the idea but I’m glad they make it and it sells. Anyway, the gin is highly recommended and I’ll be ordering samples of newer batches too!