As we head into Week 2 of Gincember? (working title) we have some confusion – so to simplify this. New Amsterdam has decided to label both of their gins under the moniker ‘Stratusphere’ with a version that is called ‘The Original’ and this ‘London Dry Gin’. A London Dry typically involves a slightly different process, and a higher proof. There is something slightly odd afoot though because at first blush this seems more like the old version (with a bit of kick)
In comparing The Original we notice there’s a discerningly different citrus flavor going on – and we have to ask ourselves. Has this been slowly changing and because we don’t drink gin straight normally they’ve adapted – or is the claim of ‘The Original’ and new Pepsi situation? It’s certainly confusing – almost as much as the name change.
What they Say: “New Amsterdam Stratusphere was born from a passion to elevate gin to new heights. From the botanicals we select to our meticulous distillation process. A commitment to new heights flows through everything we do. Stratusphere London Dry delivers an exceptional juniper-forward gin perfectly balanced by hints of fresh citrus and rounded out with a smooth finish.”
Taste: 6.5 – Very juniper and pine forward and compared to the ‘new’ original lacks that sort of orange-like citrus – which is actually worse?
Aftertaste: 3.0 – Still has that slick sort of gin flavor that just feels like eating jello or something. It’s truly not pleasant, but that’s not the main issue.
Burn/Smooth: 2.5 – The higher proof has a few words and they rhyme with ire and tombstone. The original was never truly smooth like you’d want, but this is even worse.
Aroma: 7.5 – Fittingly the juniper pine-like aroma is spot on near as makes no difference from the original. Which was odd. So we went and got some of “the original” and while juniper is there, it also has this sort of tangy citrusy smell too it. Either we failed to mention in our review (checks) 8 years ago, or there’s been some slight changing going on.
Side Note: We did a quick test and it’s mostly the same as we had before in other terms outside aroma, aside from again a slight amount of orange-like citrus creeping in.
Honesty: 2.0 – Smooth finish? Listen we never like New Amsterdam for its poetry, it was the good mixing and the cheap price that’s made it still our goto house gin for near on 8 years. However, we now have to bring up the elephant in the room that’s been growing since then. Firstly NA has branched excessively into flavored spirits which we don’t review, add that to the odd Stratusphere name change on BOTH bottles with the distinction being The Original vs London Dry, and the seemingly more citrus-based flavor in the original and something feels deeply dishonest here.
Mixability: 7.0
Martini: 7.0 – There was no expectation for this to excel, but given that it was more juniper flavored we figured we’d give it a shot. We have to say we were pleasantly surprised. Oh sure it has no leg to stand up to some of the mightier things – it’s not a Tanqueray 10. However, better gins have failed here whereas aside from that slick sort aftertaste still being there – it’s pretty good.
Gin and Tonic: 7.0 – It is pretty much what you want from the standard G&T, albeit the addition of something more orange like in the original makes that superior.
Value: 8.0 – Now that by the dollars is too expensive; however the prices we’ve found (especially for handles) have been either the same price or a dollar more than the original. As such we’re adjusting our value scores to that reality as opposed to what seems to be a slightly higher price. In which case, it simply does surprisingly well – but we think it loses to what is the current ver. of The Original (however true that is). What can’t be denied is that it’s seriously cheap for a workable martini.
Google Shop Average: $17
Website: http://www.newamsterdamspirits.com/gin
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 6.5
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Metric Score: 36.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.21 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.5
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Final Thoughts: At the end of this confusing reviewing we simply need to ask ourselves this – clearly New Amsterdam in either form is still likely the best budget gin you can buy, but which one? If the price is markedly different at your establishments, go cheaper – but if not? We say go ‘Original’ if Tonic/Fruit cocktail heavy, but for a more classic (and powerful) gin – this London Dry will work.
What? NEW AMSTERDAM STRATUSPHERE IS TOTALLY FINE GIN. Has all the aroma and flavors you would like with a unidentifiable twist that is what you have been thinking about. Don’t want the gin experts to be offended but keep your opinions we know what we like, over