First Impressions
Linden Leaf 88 Molecular Gin was founded by three Cambridge scientists using low-temperature extraction to distil 28 botanicals without destroying aromatic molecules. The '88' refers to the eighty-eight molecular compounds responsible for the gin's aroma and flavour. It is more complex than any gin has a right to be.
Tasting
The nose delivers melon, yuzu and candied lime zest with bright citrus and peppery juniper. On the palate, menthol and fresh juniper with lime, spice notes and vivid cantaloupe — incredibly complex yet coherent. The finish is herbal with lemon thyme, winter savory and linden leaf creating an evolving close.
The Bottom Line
Linden Leaf 88 earns an 8 for applying scientific rigour to gin-making. The low-temperature extraction preserves aromatics that conventional distillation would destroy, and the result is more like a botanical perfume than a simple spirit. Fascinating for anyone who loves gin's aromatic potential.
