First Impressions
Origin is a revolutionary concept from Master of Malt: a London Dry Gin made with juniper from one single location — and nothing else. No coriander, no citrus peel, no angelica. Just juniper, cold-distilled to preserve its aromatics and bottled at 46%. The Pljevlja expression uses juniper from the mountain forests of northern Montenegro. Each bottle includes a 10ml vial of cold-distilled botanicals that you can add to create a more traditional gin — but the genius is in tasting the juniper alone first.
Tasting
One botanical: juniper from Pljevlja, Montenegro. The nose is pure Montenegrin juniper — resinous, bright, with no other botanical competing. On the palate at 46%, rich and balanced: the single juniper expresses its full character. Pine-forward with subtle variations reflecting Pljevlja's specific soil and climate. Remarkably complex for a single botanical. The finish is long and pure — juniper persisting, the terroir evident.
The Bottom Line
Origin Pljevlja earns an 8 — a gin that asks the most fundamental question: what does juniper actually taste like when nothing else is in the way? The answer, from Montenegro's mountains, is surprisingly complex. This is both an educational and a drinking experience. Add the botanical vial if you wish, but try it pure first. Best neat or in a bone-dry Martini. At £39, a masterclass in terroir that every gin enthusiast should experience at least once.
