Last night’s Advent Gin was Hoxton Tropical, which reviews give Marmite reviews. Some thought it wasn’t even gin; some thought it was exactly what they like about spirits.
I tend to disfavour flavoured gins, but it’s Advent and I approached Hoxton in a spirit of openness.
The reviews actually convey very aptly what I encountered. The sample led strongly with grapefruit (which I like) and coconut (which is not my favourite); if that’s what you’re after, this is the flavoured gin for you. The juniper spine to the gin, though, was so subtle as to be almost undetectable. I can see a definite niche for a gin with a lighter hand on the grapefruit/coconut ladle; I sometimes take my G&Ts with a grapefruit slice, & though I tend to dislike coconut, I see its appeal in such a drink. But for me, gin should be gin 1st and a flavoured drink 2nd. Hoxton’s Tropical is gin 2nd.