Counter Gin, Batch 206 - trying to create a new style

Here's another Washington gin that's just come out,  though it's distilled in Portland, Oregon rather than in Washington. They're attempting to redesign the typical English dry gin and move away from juniper to other botanical flavors such as verbena, tarragon, lavender, cucumber and orange peel (the other ingredients in the gin). The "counter" in the title stands for them being counter to other gins, which is why, I guess, they have superimposed an image of a corsett on a Victorian gentleman on their label. That could make for an interesting marketing campaign: Counter Gin - the cross-dresser of gins.

Unfortunately, sometimes when you actively try to work against an established style, you're reminded more of what's missing rather than feeling like you're trying something new. Counter Gin tastes at first like a somewhat bland gin that needs more juniper. Subsequent tastings (and reading what the disillery's intentions were for creating this gin) helped me appreciate this gin a little more, but usually I just ended up with a hankering after a Broker's or other English gin.

Counter Gin is available at select liquor stores in the greater Seattle area, while Broker's Gin (a current favorite) is available state-wide.

Update: I just tried a cocktail at a local restaurant which used Counter Gin in a version of a Negroni which featured Aperol and amaro rather than vermouth and Campari. Unfortunately, Counter Gin was too mild and got lost in the mix. I tried the same recipe at home with Broker's (1 ounce of each spirit) and found the cocktail much improved, with the juniper in Broker's adding some additional complexity to the drink. Counter Gin is probably best in drinks that don't feature strong ingredients or as simply a sipping gin.