According to the producer, KISS Cold Gin is a Swedish gin inspired by the vibrant streets of New York City and the 1974 song “Cold Gin” by the rock band KISS. Distilled five times for added intensity and refinement, the grain-based spirit is made with botanicals including juniper berries, angelica root, citrus peels and other traditional herbs. Bottled at 40% ABV, the gin is available in a 700ml bottle with a suggested retail price of $39.99.
The palate switches the script and quickly: Bold with juniper up front, the green herbal character is bracing and laden with notes of turned earth, licorice, and eventually some grapefruit and lemon peel elements. Chewy and woody, there’s a sharp near-astringency here that gives the finish more bite than you’d expect from a 40% abv bottling — though there’s also a Lemonhead sweet-and-sourness that is surprisingly appealing.