A Floral Departure from the Hendrick's Standard

I approached Hendrick's Lunar Gin as someone already familiar with the original Hendrick's, curious whether this limited expression justified its existence beyond marketing novelty. The premise centers on night-blooming botanicals, and I found this translates to a tangibly different drinking experience rather than mere packaging theater.

The most immediate difference I noticed was the amplified floral character. Where standard Hendrick's balances rose and cucumber with traditional gin botanicals, Lunar pushes harder into floral territory. There's a perfumed quality on the nose that some may find enchanting and others overpowering, depending on your tolerance for botanical assertiveness. I appreciated the commitment to a distinct profile, though I wouldn't call this an everyday sipper for those who prefer juniper-driven London Dry styles.

When mixing, I found Lunar requires more consideration than its predecessor. In a gin and tonic with standard tonic water, the floral notes competed rather than complemented. Switching to a lighter, more neutral tonic or using it in a martini allowed the botanicals to express themselves more coherently. I had better results in drinks where Lunar could take center stage rather than battle for attention. This isn't necessarily a weakness, but it does narrow the casual-mixing versatility compared to more straightforward gins.

The mouthfeel is smooth at 43.4% ABV, without the harsh alcohol bite that can plague some craft gins pushing for bold flavors. I found it quite sippable neat or with a single ice cube, which let me evaluate the botanical composition more directly. The finish carries that floral signature through to the end, with a slightly sweet undertone that lingers pleasantly without turning cloying.

Regarding value, I recognize this sits in Hendrick's premium tier alongside other limited expressions. Whether the price difference justifies the experience depends heavily on your enthusiasm for floral gins specifically. I've tasted gins at similar price points that deliver more complexity or refinement, but I've also encountered far more expensive bottles with less interesting botanical perspectives. The Lunar expression feels like genuine experimentation rather than simple line extension, which I respect.

My main reservation centers on audience fit. If you already gravitate toward gins with pronounced floral or unusual botanical profiles, Lunar delivers something genuinely different. If you prefer your gin to taste primarily like gin with juniper at the forefront, this will likely strike you as straying too far from tradition. I found myself reaching for it when I wanted something deliberately unusual rather than as my default gin selection.

For those building a gin collection or hosting enthusiasts who appreciate botanical variation, Hendrick's Lunar earns its place. For everyday mixing or casual consumption, the original Hendrick's or a solid London Dry offers better versatility at lower cost.