Six Good American Gins

Gin has always been the province of the British, but some American distilleries hold their own. Clay Risen takes a look at US bottles worth tasting in the Atlantic.

• Seagram's Extra Dry: Yeah, it's a mass-market gin, but it's "easily the most drinkable as a straight sip, with a floral taste up front, then licorice and pine."

• Anchor Junipero: "Undistinguished, in a good way—no tricks or fancy flavor profiles, just a good, direct gin."
• New Amsterdam Straight: Doesn't get many raves from critics, but it "kept up with the other gins in our sample." Still, its finish is a "little weak," and it's probably better straight than in a gin and tonic.
• Blue Coat: Yes, it's made in Philly, and yes, it's very good—the "best of the lot," in fact. "If I were stocking a bar for a summer party, this would be my weapon of choice."
• Leopold's: It's more of a craft gin than the others, and it's "packed with interesting tastes," including "grapefruit and citrus, pickle brine, vinegar, and bitters, with a licorice finish." That finish, however, may be little too spicy.
• Dogfish Head Jin: This one is "easily the most complex and best-crafted gin we sampled, and it makes a knock-out G&T. Like Dogfish Head's beer, its gin manages to be unique and interesting, but also broad-ranging enough to offer something for everyone."

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