Dorothy Parker was a famous New Yorker, made popular by poems, plays, and working for the New Yorker/Vanity Fair. Dorothy Parker gin is – okay. It’s an interesting gamble by the New York Distilling Co. (props though for making a NY spirit while in NY unlike some folks). For most people they won’t know Dorothy Parker by name, maybe by her photograph, but even less likely from her works or lifestyle.
Meaning that you have to buy this with at least some knowledge of the roaring ’20s, however, if you did, and then you bought this – you’d be ticked off. Mostly because this makes a subpar cocktail and martini – and like what’s the point of a ‘premium priced/styled’ gin that doesn’t deliver?
What they Say: “I like to drink a martini, two at the very most. After three I’m under the table, after four I’m under the host.
An iconic enthusiast of in and an unconventional woman, no one could have been a more interesting drinking companion than Dorothy Parker. Her writing brilliantly expressed her era while remaining timeless in its charm.
We honor her with this sophisticated and contemporary New York gin. Original yet classic, it is the result of a unique blend of traditional and contemporary botanicals including Juniper Berries, Elderberries, and Hibiscus Petals – a trio that contributes to a bright aroma and finish. Versatile and timeless, it’s as delicious in complex cocktails as it is pleasing in an afternoon Gin & Tonic.
New York Distilling Company crafts Dorothy Parker Gin in Brooklyn one batch at a time on Bernadette, our copper pot still. Visit the distillery and our adjoining bar, the Shanty, at 79 Richardson Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.”
Taste: 5.0 – At first it is very clean, almost minty in flavor working together with the juniper. There is an off taste though.
Aftertaste: 6.0 – It gets slightly more complex, but mostly by way of feeling like different berries (not a complaint).
Burn/Smooth: 3.0 – There’s not a day on earth in which that is considered smooth. It’s a rough drink.
Aroma: 6.0 – You can keep going back to this and all you will get is one thing – juniper. Mind you this is a gin, and that’s sort of expected so no fault there. While it’s not bad at all, it is very 1 dimensional.
Honesty: 6.0 – It is hard to fault a gin named after a poet/writer beyond whether you think they would never drink said spirit. The problem is there’s no way we can see Dorothy Parker drinking this. While NYC based it’s aslo questionable whether there’s grounds to name it after, and overall we’re leery on the subject
Mixability: 4.25
Gin and Tonic: 3.5 – It certainly adds a bit of dimension? body? something? to the G&T, but it’s not tasty or refreshing so – it’s kinda fucked up. It tasks like how you’d imagine the color blue gray tastes – kind of sad and boring (taking out our assess now)
Martini: 5.0 – That is not a great martini. Which based on the text and namesake you were sort of hoping for. You were hoping for a lass of a spirit who could help you put away 4 of these and be very accommodating. The sad truth is we are in the real world where most a good gin is hard to find.
Value: 3.0 – No. Sorry. The mix of botanicals here implies a lot of time and care has gone into it, but as a recipe – it’s a disaster. As such spending, this amount of money is too much and should be avoided.
Google Shop Average: $32
Website: http://www.nydistilling.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 4.0
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Metric Score: 33.25/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.75 |+| Reviewer Average: 4.0
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Final Thoughts: If this was grand now would be the moment we’d find a poignant and beautiful quote, but sadly this is just subpar and doesn’t deserve that. It does speak to something though – spirit companies – stop honoring people with your booze – it’s a risky gamble and it rarely pays off.
